Pattie has spent most of her life in Portland, navigating the ups and downs with the kind of resilience only years of experience can bring. She fills her days with crochet projects, transforming scrap yarn into cozy hats and cowls. Her two dogs, her constant companions, never stray far from her side. But life hasn’t been easy for Pattie lately.

“I’ve never had hip pain before, but now it’s the worst pain I’ve ever experienced,” Pattie says, wincing as she talks about her struggles. Between that and managing her diabetes and chronic fatigue, even simple tasks like grocery shopping have become overwhelming.

At 69, living alone and dealing with daily health challenges, Pattie knows how it feels to be isolated. But there’s one thing she can always count on: the knock on her door from a Meals on Wheels People volunteer delivering her lunch.

“I really, really need the help right now,” Pattie admits. “When you’re really low on groceries and then they come through, it makes a world of difference. I count on that little help of food.”

Fighting Senior Hunger and Loneliness in Portland

Pattie’s story is not unique. Thousands of seniors across the Portland metro area face similar struggles. Many live alone, juggling health issues and financial hardship, unsure where their next meal will come from. Meals on Wheels People steps in, providing nutritious meals and, just as important, human connection that helps combat the isolation that so many older adults feel.

This November, you can help seniors like Pattie by participating in Donate Dinner, Meals on Wheels People’s biggest fundraiser of the year. During the week of Nov. 20–27, visit your local New Seasons Market and add a donation at checkout. Every dollar helps provide nutritious meals to aging neighbors who need it most.

Can’t make it to the store? No problem — you can donate online throughout the month. Every contribution, no matter how small, adds up to something powerful: meals that sustain, comfort, and connect.

But Donate Dinner is about more than just donating — it’s about getting involved. Last year, community members helped raise $245,000, which provided over 23,000 meals to seniors in need. This year, the goal is even bigger: $300,000. And Meals on Wheels People can’t do it without you.

3 Simple Ways You Can Help Right Now

• Volunteer as a Store Greeter: Sign up for a two-hour shift at New Seasons, where you’ll greet shoppers and encourage donations. Stores with volunteers receive three times as many donations, so your presence truly makes a difference.
• Donate at Checkout or Online: During the week of Nov. 20–27, add a donation to your grocery bill at New Seasons, or donate any time in November through the Meals on Wheels People website.
• Spread the Word: Encourage your friends and family to get involved by sharing the Donate Dinner campaign on social media or by word of mouth. The Meals on Wheels People website has a toolkit to help you make the biggest impact.

As Vern, another Meals on Wheels People recipient, so poignantly put it:

“It makes me feel good that somebody cares — that I’m not just one of those statistics that nobody thinks about. The people from Meals on Wheels honestly care about me. And that’s important to all of us — that somebody cares about all of us.”

In a city as compassionate as Portland, neighbors helping neighbors is part of the fabric of the community. As we prepare to gather around our own holiday tables, we can also help ensure that seniors like Pattie and Vern have a meal to look forward to.

Last year, thanks to generous supporters, Meals on Wheels People provided nearly 1.5 million meals to over 11,400 individuals. The need continues to grow, with a 12.45% increase in meals served and an 8.32% increase in individuals receiving meals in just the past year.

This November, you can help ensure that Pattie, Vern, and other older adults in our community continue receiving the nutritious meals and human connection they rely on and deserve. Whether you donate online or at checkout or volunteer your time, your support of Donate Dinner will provide the nourishment and care that make a real difference in their lives.