Blanchet House & Farm

Since 1952, Blanchet House has been offering free meals, clothes, transitional housing, and community to Portlanders.

A big, jazzy thank-you to the Rhythm Dogs and the Quadraphonnes for bringing their horn-and-saxophone fusion to a benefit concert for Blanchet House at Hoku Events on Madison! We’re so grateful for your continued support and for making life a little more musical for the Blanchet House community.

Bring your unwanted Halloween candy to Blanchet House. We'll take your wanted candy too. Drop off Monday-Saturday, 8-10:30 am or 1:30-4 pm at 310 NW Glisan St. We will share your candy with our guests at Blanchet House and Bethanie's Room women's shelter.

We love the art and messages people add to the sack lunches they donate. Each one brings a much-needed smile to our guests. Today, we handed out 850 lunches! Want to help? Sign up to make sack lunches on our website.

We've got the beets! So many, in fact, that we're sharing cases with our friends at Lift UP! Getting surplus food onto plates takes staff, trucks, cold storage, creative chefs, and teamwork. Food rescue is a logistical challenge, but together, we're turning potential waste into meals!

Vanjie sat with artist Eva Wrzesinski for a portrait featured in At Our Table, a project that shares the faces and stories of people who visit Blanchet House. We'll host a gallery open house on 11/5, from 2-4 p.m.  RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/2y8kykau  Online Gallery: https://tinyurl.com/2r4ta5cm

Welcome to Blanchet Farm, Bryn! He’s stepping in as case manager while a team member is on leave.  Bryn is no stranger to Blanchet House. He’s been a peer support specialist at our women’s shelter and café, helping many people find housing, improve their health, and feel cared for.

This sweet kitten and their human have been staying at Bethanie’s Room shelter for three weeks. We’re one of the few shelters that welcome pets! Help us care for them by donating unscented litter and pet food. Drop off daily, 5:30–6:30 p.m., at 1015 NW 17th Ave. in Portland.

Clothing count this weekend: 125 items and about 30 pairs of winter shoes. Thank you for donating quality adult sized clothing.

Patrick Gilligan and his dog Rudy are traveling by foot and bus from Seattle to San Diego to learn about homelessness solutions from organizations like Blanchet House. They are making a documentary to spark greater understanding and collaboration. Patrick founded a charity called Arch Bridge.

Blanchet Bingo is Back! Get your tickets for Nov. 1 now at https://blanchethouse.givevirtuous.org/Event/blanchet-bingo-2026.

Our new cohort of high school student ambassadors served dinner tonight.

Ranger Vincente Harrison surprised us with 92 fleece blankets from the Portland Parks Department emergency response team. "I volunteer at Blanchet House on the weekend and thought you could use these," he said. If you'd like to donate warm adult-sized clothing, drop off Mon-Sat, 8-10:30 or 1:30-4.

Meet Timothy, 32, a Jesuit novice who lives and volunteers at Blanchet House. In one week, he's already repaired all our bikes, organized a writing workshop, and plans to play the ukulele for café guests. Why? “I want to put peace, hope, and love out into the world and work toward a good cause."

Our Portland women's shelter, Bethanie's Room, needs the following new or gently used items. Please drop off at 1015 NW 17th, 5:30-6:30 PM. Wish list: https://a.co/06wo6jux 1. Socks 2. Bras (L+) 3. Deodorant (All sizes) 4. Talc/baby powder, body wash, nail clippers, lip balm Thank you!

Tom and Colette Richardson drove all the way from Texas to donate clothing and supplies for guests of Blanchet House in Portland, Oregon. Wow! Thank you.

A guest arrived at our door in pain, scared use an ambulance. Staff sat & called outreach workers. CHAT team with PDX Fire arrived, earned trust, & took them to a hospital. It turns out they had been hit by a car. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is show up, sit, and not give up.

Name our new electric van! We received PGE’s Drive Change Fund award, made possible by the Oregon DEQ’s Clean Fuels Program, to fund a new van and charging station. Artist Wokeface is designing it.  Submit your name idea for a chance to win a Blanchet House T-shirt at https://tinyurl.com/5x3tt5et

Gordon collected blankets from his neighbors at Creekside Village for us to give to guests experiencing homelessness. Nights are getting cooler, and rain is on the way, so we're stocking up. Drop off gently used items M-Sa, 8-10:30am or 1:30-4pm. You can also shop our wishlist https://a.co/06wo6jux.

At our women’s shelter, Darby Smith shows up for people going through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Her calm, kind demeanor feels like warm sunshine on a chilly day. Leading a shelter is taxing work, and we’re so grateful she keeps showing up for guests and coworkers.

We’re hiring a Director of Programs to lead services across Blanchet House, Blanchet Farm, and Bethanie’s Room. This role oversees residential, meal, and shelter programs, supports staff, and ensures services are safe, effective, and rooted in dignity. BlanchetHouse.org/jobs.

Don is at the exit with 800 sack lunches available to anyone who would like one. Thank you to the incredibly generous people who make and donate lunches. They are so appreciated by our guests.

Yesterday, a mom with two kids came to Blanchet House for help. We don’t offer a bill-payment program, but our peer support staff listened and connected her to Rose Haven’s monthly financial clinic. So many people need just a little help, but they’re navigating a confusing and very limited system.

At the end of the month, our line grows longer as money runs out. Our staff announces that we'll need to cut off the line. Guests who have already eaten step aside and wave others forward. People still show care for one another even though they are all struggling.

These brand-new “old” shoes went from sitting in a warehouse to helping people in need. Thanks to supporter Bella for rescuing hundreds of pairs of shoes from going to a landfill. Our guests at Blanchet House and Bethanie’s Room are so grateful.

16 of the men staying with us at Blanchet House in downtown Portland got haircuts thanks to the awesome volunteers from The Barbers.

This morning, we were able to serve 393 pancake breakfasts that both human and four-legged guests enjoyed. Thank you to our donors and staff for making this special breakfast possible.

A guest who has been joining us for meals while staying at a nearby shelter asked our staff for a bus ticket to get to a job interview.  This morning, they came back to breakfast with great news: they got the job. Your support makes this success possible. Thank you.

On Monday, Blanchet House served 1,478 meals to people who waited in a long line for a simple plate of food. September is Hunger Action Month, and the need is impossible to ignore. People are losing SNAP benefits while food costs keep rising. We need your help. https://tinyurl.com/e9nufp2m

We're hiring for a Facilities Manager. Starting Wage: $33.50 per hour; Full-time, non-exempt, overtime-eligible; On-site position; may require evening or weekend responsibilities. Apply at careers@blanchethouse.org. See the full job description at BlanchetHouse.org/jobs.

We usually welcome 2-3 cats and 2-4 dogs per night at our women’s shelter. Bethanie’s Room, is one of only a few places that allow pets to sleep with their human. It’s definitely extra work to keep supplies and litter available. You can help by donating at blanchethouse.org/portland-wom...

Sack lunch giveaway from 11:30-12:30 today (Saturday) at Blanchet House. All are welcome! Stop in. No questions asked.

A busy dinner! 455 plates served with the line picking up about halfway into the hour long service. There were fewer individual requests for peer support or material needs compared to lunch. Let’s hope everyone has a safe night. Thank you for your continued support and well-wishes.

Our women’s shelter needs your help. Bethanie’s Room is at capacity most nights, and more than 1,000 shelter beds are being lost as city and county-run shelters close. A $60 gift provides a woman with a night’s sleep, clothes, and support as she finds solutions. Please give at https://bit.ly/4c4bD3c

Jon and Sean became friends after meeting at a Bible study for people in recovery. Recently, they sat with artist Eva Wrzesinski to have their portraits drawn for At Our Table, a project featuring 20 people who dine in the Blanchet House café. What’s something you wish people understood about you?

Shoutout to the amazing volunteers from Fortis Construction for serving 460 plates! Fortis also generously sponsors our programs.

Levi handmade 42 leather belts for people experiencing homelessness. These incredibly useful gifts will be given out to Blanchet House guests. Levi thoughtfully made them in varying sizes. This began as an Eagle Scout project and he’s continued with the help of his father, Linden. Good luck at OSU!

Alex and K.J. met over dinner at Blanchet House one year ago. This week, they sat for artist Eva Wrzesinski, who drew their portrait for At Our Table, a project funded by a Regional Art Council (RACC) grant. We asked what they were hoping for. Alex said, “Help with a permanent place to live."

We had a successful graduation at Blanchet Farm! After regaining sobriety, Mitch reached another major milestone when he secured an apartment. Friends helped him move, with furniture from MacHub.  You can support our farm, which is solely funded by donations, by giving at BlanchetHouse.org/donate.

488 plates served at lunch and 387at breakfast today! It was bustling, with steady lines, and lots of requests for clothing, supplies, and support. Our staff and volunteers hustled to help everyone. A busy Labor Day and a reminder of how many people rely on Blanchet House.

This week, the city updated us on plans to close a 200-bed shelter down the street from Bethanie’s Room. Our shelter is at capacity most nights, with limited options for guests to move into housing. As more shelter beds disappear, we’re left asking where will people go?

This week, the city updated us on plans to close a 200-bed shelter down the street from Bethanie’s Room. Our women’s shelter is at capacity most nights, with limited options for guests to move into longer-term housing. As more shelter beds disappear, we’re left asking where will people go?

Our friend James was excited to receive a Blanchet House shirt. He's a daily breakfast guest who shared with our peer staff member, Duke, "The highlight of my day is saying hi to you every morning."  We serve breakfast Mon-Sat from 6:30-7:30 a.m. Guests can expect donuts, oatmeal, an egg, and fruit.

Applications to become a Blanchet House Student Ambassador are due Sept. 18. This opportunity is open to high school juniors and seniors. Learn more at https://blanchethouse.org/student-ambassadors/.

Do we really need to know why someone is hungry before we feed them? Of course, we want to know their story and understand how we might help. But no one should have to prove their need, share a diagnosis, or explain an addiction before they can eat. They are hungry. We have food. We serve them.

Breakfast and sack lunches are needed for women staying at our shelter, Bethanie's Room. Can you help? Homemade treats are always welcome! Drop-Off: 5:30-6:30 p.m. or 6-7 a.m. at 1015 NW 17th Ave. Sign up for food delivery https://bit.ly/4i5vG5M

Our café hosts art-making days, where we provide art supplies to our diners and invite them to create. This year, several of our guests, like Cheryl, have artwork featured in Blanchet House's On the Ledge online art show. Today is the last day to shop the gallery at bhontheledge.com/2026.