New Home, Same Heart

The Tualatin School House Pantry moves to Rolling Hills Community Church
by Terri Conlin

The ribbon was cut and the doors swung wide announcing the grand opening of the Tualatin School House Pantry at its new location, 3550 SW Borland Road. On Monday, August 17, lower level space at Rolling Hills Community Church became the new home of the Schoolhouse Pantry, spacious, organized and sunny with a drive-up entrance. Among those present at the ribbon cutting, President of the Board, Mike Shiffer, said, “It’s the perfect spot. We couldn’t be happier.” The Tualatin School House Pantry may be smiling from a new face but the original mission lives on, to feed the hungry. Also present at the ribbon cutting ceremony, was Interim Senior Pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church, Bill Towne, who commented,

“I had no idea so many other people in our community have been a part of this a lot longer than we have. I'm humbled and challenged by that. What a privilege to partner with other people, churches, and organizations in reaching out to people going through difficult times.”

Teamwork is at the heart of this enterprise including partnerships with the City of Tualatin, civic groups, local churches, businesses and schools as well as varied individuals, each with a heart to serve. The Pantry continues to be an ecumenical and community endeavor uniting various church denominations, public and private sectors and people from every generation.

The Tualatin School House Pantry, a member of the Oregon Food Bank, currently serves up to 500 families per month in the Tualatin area, providing emergency food boxes to the disabled, the homeless and those in crisis. That’s up 30 percent from last year at this time. Families are served with dignity and respect in a warm and welcoming ambiance. In the first days at the new location, a single mother and her eleven-year-old boy came to the Pantry. She did not speak or hear, so her son signed to her as they shopped, working together up and down the aisles like any family at a local grocery store. That is just the atmosphere the Pantry strives to provide its customers.

The Tualatin School House Pantry is currently looking for ordinary people willing to serve in an extraordinary community. The Pantry takes pride in its 100% volunteer staff and always has room for one more. The present staffing needs include a Volunteer Coordinator, Pick-up and Delivery Coordinator, and an army of willing hands to write thank-you notes to generous donors. All donations are welcome and appreciated, especially boxed cereal, sugar, hygiene products and canned fruit. In addition, every dollar contributed allows the purchase of ten pounds of food to feed the hungry.

An open house celebration to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the
Tualatin School House Pantry is planned for October. Store hours and contact information can be found at www.schoolhousepantry.org.