Light A Fire

Take Action

With a Food Pantry and Home Delivery, This Nonprofit Serves Low-Income Portlanders

Last year, Lift Urban Portland distributed some 250,000 pounds of food in its fight against hunger.

03/27/2018 By Fiona McCann

Hunger in Oregon

Oregon’s Innovative Food Bank Longs for the Day It Shuts Down

But in a state with disturbingly high rates of food insecurity, it’s probably here for a while.

03/27/2018 By Ramona DeNies

News

Hunger in Oregon: A Special Report

Our state has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the country. What’s going on?

02/27/2018 Edited by Fiona McCann

News

Hunger in Oregon: A Special Report

Our state has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the country. What’s going on?

02/27/2018 Edited by Fiona McCann

Take Action

How Urban Gleaners Fights Hunger in Portland

The nonprofit delivers food to some 6,000 people each week.

02/27/2018 By Fiona McCann

A State of Hunger

Hunger in Oregon, by the Numbers

Why does our state rank so high in food insecurity? Here's a look at the stats.

02/27/2018 By Fiona McCann and Christine Menges

Hunger in Oregon

What Happens When Portland Kids Go Hungry?

Oregon ranks 13th in the nation for food insecurity. So who feeds many local children? The schools.

02/27/2018 By Fiona McCann

Editor's Note

At Light a Fire, Portlanders Can Help Keep the Flame Burning

Portland Monthly's annual celebration of the city's best nonprofits and community change makers feels especially important this year.

10/26/2017 By Zach Dundas

Top Nonprofits

Meet Our 2017 Light a Fire Winners

Every year, we honor Portland’s most innovative community leaders and volunteers.

10/16/2017 Edited by Marty Patail

Top Nonprofits

Meet Our 2017 Light a Fire Winners

Every year, we honor Portland’s most innovative community leaders and volunteers.

10/16/2017 Edited by Marty Patail

Light a Fire 2017: Extraordinary Volunteer

Portlander Alan Koch and Maggie the Dog Bring Furball Therapy to All

For Our House regulars, one’s ready to talk, one’s ready to snuggle.

10/16/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Light a Fire 2017: Best New Nonprofit

How One Nonprofit Tackles the Gender Gap in Portland Tech

With twice as many men as women working in local tech, PDXWIT aims to right the balance (cocktails in hand).

10/16/2017 By Kelly Clarke

Light a Fire 2017: Emerging Leader

The Oregon Jewish Museum’s April Slabosheski Teaches Living History

The 28-year-old has risen quickly at the nonprofit, which moved to a much larger space in the Pearl this year.

10/16/2017 By Rebecca Jacobson

Light a Fire 2017: Keeping Us Healthy

How an Oregon Clinic Provides Vital Health Care for Seasonal and Migrant Workers

After a child’s avoidable death, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center came together in her name.

10/16/2017 By Katie Vaughan

Light a Fire 2017: Extraordinary Board Member

How One Portlander Helps People Plan for End-of-Life Care

Peggy Maguire wants you to have the hard conversations.

10/16/2017 By Katie Vaughan

Light a Fire 2017: Caring for the Planet

Ecotrust Puts Its Faith—and Funds—in Healthy Forests

The green nonprofit makes conservation profitable.

10/16/2017 By Ramona DeNies

Light a Fire 2017: Inspiring Creativity

With Airport Cinema, Hollywood Theatre Gives Oregon Filmmakers a Global Audience

Up next? The nonprofit is buying Movie Madness.

10/16/2017 By Margaret Seiler

Light a Fire 2017: Extraordinary Executive Director

Ed Blackburn Looks Back On 25 Years at Central City Concern

The retiring executive director has devoted his career to working with the homeless.

10/16/2017 By Marty Patail

Light a Fire 2017: Lifetime Achievement

How Antoinette Edwards Takes Care of Portland's At-Risk Youth

It's been over four decades, and she's not giving up.

10/16/2017 By Fiona McCann

Light a Fire 2017: Most with the Least

This Tiny Nonprofit Brings Environmental Ed to Kids across Portland

Students get dirty with Ecology in Classrooms & Outdoors.

10/16/2017 By Benjamin Tepler