Blanchet House of Hospitality

" I was hungry and you gave me food..."

From Social Club to Social Work

What began as a social club, founded in 1938, at the University of Portland has since developed into an institution unique among its kind in Portland's oldest and deepest 'poverty pocket', the Old Town/Chinatown area. Today, not only does the original Blanchet House of Hospitality, at 340 NW Glisan Street, founded in 1952 continue to offer to the poor: free meals, beds, jobs, and HOPE, but it has been joined by two more properties to become a multi-unit complex of charitable endeavors. The scope of Blanchet House of Hospitality has grown to include Blanchet Farm in Carlton, OR, and Mr. Riley's Place at 615 NW 18th.

Charity - With No Commercials

'Unique' was the word we used to describe our organization in relation to others in the locality and it applies in certain important aspects. Of primary note is the fact that the Blanchet operation is not the integral agency of a church (although named for the pioneer first Archbishop of Oregon and directed by a board of Catholic laymen); nor is it an adjunct of government or of public fund groups such as the United Way, but rather it is independent of all, both legally and financially. Another unusual aspect is our policy regarding those we aid: no moral judgements are imposed and no participation in religious services are required.

A further distinguishing feature is the composition of our staff. All staff members are unsalaried volunteers; the Executive Directors have come from business or non-profit management backgrounds. The other staff has been recruited from among those we serve. The latter live in the House and perform all of the daily tasks involved in its operation, thus contributing to their own self-esteem and developing a community spirit. Since its inception, the House has served over seventeen million hot meals, provided over one million night's lodging, distributed over 800,000 items of clothing, and filled over 120,000 temporary jobs. Countless food boxes also were given to families in need, and small loans were made for training courses, licenses, tool purchases and whatever might contribute toward another chance in life. A number of new charitable undertakings have been successfully launched with aid from Blanchet House in the form of money for a few months rent, food supplies, equipment and experienced advice.