Holiday needs supplied by Division Midway Alliance

See how this outer East Portland Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative District helped many neighbors in need, with food and personal care items …

Just minutes after the Division Midway Alliance Holiday Food Box Distribution begins, a line of recipients has already formed outside their office.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Even before the Holiday Food Box Distribution began, early Friday afternoon December 17th, a line of people had formed outside the Division Midway Alliance (DMA) Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative District offices on SE Division Street.

Due to the inclement weather, the food boxes had been prepared inside, instead of in the parking lot. Recipients queued in a line stretching up the stairs to the front porch, where those needing them received their supplies.

DMA’s Operations and Communications Coordinator, Mohammad Khalid, and Iraqi Liaison, shows the Holiday bags, filled with supplies, that are being given to members of the community.

“In addition to food boxes, we’ve made up these bags containing facemasks, beanies, gloves, socks, hand sanitizers, a toothbrush, deodorant – practical things to give to the community during this Holiday Season,” explained DMA’s Mohammad Khalid.

The doors opened on schedule at 1 p.m. “And, just ten minutes later, we’d already given about 65 food boxes to supply 65 households,” exclaimed Kahlid. “And now almost all the boxes are gone – so I think in outer East Portland, the community certainly appreciates our help.”

Matriculating clients at the distribution is Maria Mendoza, a volunteer from the Portland Open Bible Church Pantry.

“Again, as at other events we’ve held this year, we are appreciating the assistance that the DMA has received from the Portland Open Bible Church (POBC) – their pantry provided us with great a quality of high-quantity food, to help the community in this Holiday Season,” Khalid told East Portland News.

“We, here at DMA, do our best to provide for those who lack resources; that’s why it is so important for us to have wonderful partners like POBC,” Khalid commended.”

Gathering fresh food for another box to be distributed is DMA Program Assistant and Chinese Community Liaison Yuyan Luo.

“This is so important, because the Holidays are a time of giving,” Khalid explained. “We want to give food, so the community doesn’t have to worry about not having food on the table – fresh and healthy food to eat – every day.

“This is even more important for families who need resources and who do not speak English well,” Khalid pointed out, as he reached for more gift bags.

Find out more about the Division Midway Alliance by visiting their official website: CLICK HERE.

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