Summertime Relief

In 2015, Portland had a record-breaking summer with 29 days of temperatures higher than 90 degrees.

On one of those scorching hot summer days, Marek, who was homeless and addicted to alcohol, woke up in the bushes. He was seeking shelter from the heat and he didn’t know where to turn for help. He woke up on hot summer mornings dehydrated from alcohol and with no access to water. He was hungry too.

Struggling daily with an addiction to alcohol, and trying to cope with the heat, Marek was disoriented and exhausted.

“By the grace of God, I found Union Gospel Mission,” said Marek.

Marek became a member of LifeChange, Union Gospel Mission’s addiction recovery program. He is living at the Mission where he has recovery housing, meals, and he is learning to overcome addiction.

This summer, Marek is serving water, juice, coffee and snacks in Union Gospel Mission’s homeless services department. He knows firsthand what the struggles are like for the Mission’s homeless guests in the summer heat.

“It would be great if donors gave us underwear, socks, shorts, T-shirts, shoes, and travel-size sunblock and hygiene items, in addition to bottled water and sports drinks,” Marek said.

If you would like to donate any of these items, you can drop them off at the downtown location at 3 NW Third Ave., Portland, OR 97209 or at the thrift store 11611 SW Pacific Hwy., Tigard, OR, 97223. Please call 503-274-4483 for any questions.