If you are a runner, or even a shuffler, and have a passion for philanthropy, the congregation at Northside Community Church has just the thing in store for you.
The church will hold the Feed Newberg 5K at 8 a.m. June 9 on a rectangular course of streets surrounding the church in the 1800 block of Hoskins Street. The start line is in a field adjacent to the church. The cost to participate is $25, with kids 10 and under running/walking for free.
The event is a fundraiser for the congregation’s community kitchen project, which will enlarge and update the church’s ability to provide meals for those experiencing homelessness in the community.
“Over the past 16 months our church community has served two meals a day to those sleeping at our facility every night in need of shelter,” a release from the church said. “Our current kitchen has been well used and well loved for 50 years and is in dire need of repair.”
YCAP readies to reopen North College facility
The upswing in services for the homeless, including overnight housing, came about when the church partnered with the Community Wellness Collective (CWC) in 2023 after Yamhill County Action Partnership (YCAP) closed its North College facility for remodeling.
“The grant given to the (CWC) to safely operate this low barrier, emergency shelter will be used up as of June 30 and the shelter will discontinue lodging at Northside now that renovations are completed at the night-by-night shelter that YCAP will be operating,” the release added.
Northside — in concert with YCAP, the CWC, Providence, Love INC and other groups in the community — is committed to continue providing meal services at the church after the CWC shelter reopens.
“Northside Community Church has a passion to stand in the gap for those in need by offering access to food and food services,” the release said. “(Our) partnership with the Community Wellness Collective this last year has opened their eyes to the growing need for consistent food and food services from one location in Newberg.”
Hence, the need for upgrades to the church’s aging kitchen.
Anticipated upgrades
Those upgrades, according to NCC Pastor Nick Forrest, including installation of stainless-steel counters, a commercial range and oven with a fire suppression hood, the addition of grease traps, more sanitation sinks and rearranging walkways to minimize the potential for accidents.
The facility will also see additional and enhanced electrical services so “nutritionists can be teaching groups of students around warmers and crockpots,” Forrest said, adding that the nutritionists will emanate from Providence’s Milwaukie Kitchen.
The updates to the kitchen will be welcome as the church has been serving 40 to 70 meals daily (2,130 monthly) since opening soon after the CWC shelter closed. More than 100 unique individuals arrive monthly to take advantage of the community kitchen and for lodging, Forrest said.
The menu has been diverse and sometimes comes about with help from nearby eateries.
“The CWC has been able to organize the preparation of crock pot meals, casseroles, homemade Mexican food, pancakes, French toast, breakfast burritos, meatloaf, homemade pasta and pasta sauce, often by Rosemarino (Osteria Italiana, a Newberg restaurant) chefs who give their time and talent to serve those who come for food,” Forrest said. “On Thursdays volunteers have made BBQ ribs, Chinese food, chili and so many more amazing foods in this kitchen.”
Community fundraising
Church officials expect to begin the kitchen remodeling effort in July. Fundraising efforts are well underway and have been well supported by the congregation.
“So far, a vast majority of the funding has come from Northside community church members and church budgets,” Forrest said. “We have had $24,000 come in from a Christmas concert and are projecting $10,000 from our 5K in two weeks. Additional donations have been equal to approximately $15,000 from outside donors. That is a total of almost $50,000 from outside sources. (The) remaining $75,000 has come from church members and our church budgeting.”
The total projected cost of the project is $232,000.
Local businesses and groups have joined the effort as well, including Ken and Daughters Jewelers, Carey’s Custom Woodworking, Inc, Early Bird Rotary, Distinction Communication, Level Up, American Family insurance, Coffee Cat and Kiwanis.
Those wishing to donate, or for more information, can email info@northsidenewberg.org or visit northsidenewberg.org .
Although the deadline has passed to have your business or group promoted on the T-shirts the runners/walkers will receive, “we can still promote any donors on our banner, our website and on our social media,” Forrest said.
Donor levels include bronze ($300), silver ($2,000), gold ($5,000) and diamond ($10,000). Donors will see their logos displayed on the church’s social media posts.
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