Physical Health United States Project #5191

Supplemental Food for People Living with HIV/AIDS

by Our House of Portland

Project Report | May 11, 2016
Spring has Sprung!

By Sarah Howard | Development Manager

We are very excited to be getting our hands dirty in the garden again after winter. It is wonderful to see how when the sun is out the mood is lifted. Our volunteer Garden Manager and residents are back in the garden with big plans for this summer. Clients, residents, and volunteers are busy outside with their walks, soaking up the sun, and planting the first crops. Our lettuce will be the first fresh vegetable to be prepared in our kitchen for the residents to enjoy. How could we make a big green salad better? By making it with greens the residents have grown themselves.

Our House’s food program Esther’s Pantry continues to received high quality donations from New Seasons Market and Whole Foods on a weekly basis. Because of these donations, among others, and the supplemental food from the Oregon Food Bank, we are making it possible for over 200+ monthly clients to take home more nutritious food. However, there is still room to grow.

Permalink

Feb 11, 2016
Pets Do A Body Good

By James Lindquist | Director of Development

Often times we think of food as the primary way to feed our body’s and souls. It helps us to maintain our health, gives us fuel to do things, and brings us together with friends, family, and others. It helps us feel good when it’s cold out to have a grilled cheese and tomato soup, or to eat a pint of our favorite ice cream while watching a sad movie or TV show. Food IS necessary to keep us going, but so are our furbies.

Several of our clients at Esther’s Pantry and Tod’s Corner have come to rely on their pet companions for both emotional and physical connection. If they have a dog they might be seen walking around the neighborhood conversing with others, at the park throwing a ball, or just sitting on a bench watching as others go by. If they are a cat owner maybe they are enjoying the comfort of their feline friend layed out in their lap, watching them run after a catnip toy, or scratching their heads as they butt your hand wanting attention.

The residents at Our House also get to enjoy pets through volunteers who bring in their dogs to visit once a week. Not to mention the many cats and dogs that our neighbors have that interact with residents on their walks or while working in the gardens.

Our services for people living with HIV look not only at their physical health but their overall well-being too. For many, a companion pet provides unconditional love, companionship and plenty of smiles. Thanks to the support of our generous donors, the Our House Companion Pet Care program enables us to provide annual wellness exams, vaccines and more for our clients who have pets in their lives.

As John Grogan said in ‘Marley & Me’ - "It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them”

One of our clients recently wrote us about his dogs Buddy and Abby and how Companion Pet Care has helped him over the years:

"My first dog Buddy literally saved my life as I was going through the throes of AIDS. I had to stay alive as he needed me to care for him- feeding and walking and bathing. Our House was there to help with his health while he was helping me with mine just by being there. He was my little hero. At 13 he let me know it was time. You helped me pay his vet bill and for his proper cremation. Thank you.

Abby was my second dog; she takes care of me. It's been hard aging with AIDS. At times I've been very depressed. Abby's always there. She pushes me out of bed with her nose as soon as I wake up. It always makes me laugh. Abby and Buddy gave me life on those days when I wouldn't have got out of bed. They've saved my life and in turn so has Out House. Your services are priceless; you help so many people and the pets we love."

Clients receive free pet food and accessories at Tod’s and Esther’s. We recognize the importance that they bring in our lives and are fortunate to receive donations from donors, like you, that may have a pet in your life or someone you know.

Links:

Our House of Portland

Permalink

Nov 17, 2015
Dinner at My House for Our House

By James Lindquist | Director of Development

‹ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 11 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.