‘World’s Smallest Thrift Store’ debuts in Brentwood-Darlington

Take a look at this feature, added to the neighborhood’s regularly held gatherings, that provides warm food, and warmer friendships …

For their February Community Dinner in the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center, first-time “head chef” Lara Olayan prepares Tofu Curry and Chicken Corn Soup, served with pita bread.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Volunteers from the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association (BDNA) continue to host “Neighborhood Community Dinners” at the Brentwood-Darlington Community Center – as they did on Thursday evening, February 12.

Many neighbors come to enjoy piping hot dishes on a cold winter night at this BDNA Community Dinner.

The more than two dozen residents who arrived that evening enjoyed a supper of curry and soup, served pita bread – and, new this evening, fresh-cut fruit next to a flowing fountain of molten milk chocolate!

Introduces ‘World’s Smallest Thrift Store’

Introducing the ‘World’s Smallest Thrift Store’ are BDNA volunteers Xea Westcott and Cyn Cook-Hyde.

Pointing out a rack of clothing and other items in the Community Center’s main hall, volunteer Cyn Cook-Hyde explained the concept behind what they’re calling the “World’s Smallest Thrift Store”, which debuted at the February supper. “It’s because we have a passion for keeping good, usable items out of a landfill, and giving them a second life – a second use,” she told East Portland News.

“This project helps recycle these goods, in our hyper-local community,” Cook-Hyde explained. “Not only are we doing this as part of our Community Dinners now, it will be part of other events here as well.”

Trying out the newly-added Chocolate Fountain is guest Marian Dixon.

As a regular “organizing chef” for the neighborhood’s dinner events, Cook-Hyde was pleased to see the large turnout of supper guests enjoying the meal together. “We keep doing community dinners, because it’s a good way to give back to the community, and get everyone together – it’s all about strengthening, building, and tightening our community,” she observed.

Neighbors enjoying their evening out are the MacDonald family, Alicia, Dave and Norah-Mae.

For more information about the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association, see their website: CLICK HERE.

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