PORTLAND, Ore. — Meals on Wheels People has announced the public launch of its Together at the Table capital campaign to support construction of a new Eastside Resource Center in Southeast Portland, a project aimed at expanding access to services for older adults and strengthening regional emergency response.
The campaign has already raised more than 91% of its $26.7 million goal, according to the organization.
The 17,000-square-foot facility, located at 4035 SE 82nd Ave. and slated for completion later this year, represents a strategic shift in how the nonprofit addresses growing challenges facing older adults, including rising living costs, social isolation, and increased vulnerability during extreme weather.
“This is about access,” said Suzanne Washington, CEO of Meals on Wheels People. “We’re seeing more older adults navigating isolation, affordability challenges, and barriers to basic services. This center is designed to meet those realities by bringing meals, connection, and essential supports together in one place.”
The Eastside Resource Center will introduce new programming designed to reach underserved communities and reduce common barriers to participation. Plans include a fast-casual dining area offering culturally diverse meals with flexible hours, a technology hub focused on digital literacy, and dedicated space for partner organizations providing services such as foot care, transportation coordination, and veteran support.
In addition to expanding services, the facility will enhance the organization’s operational resilience. A new commercial kitchen will serve as backup to its existing Central Kitchen, while a multi-use event space will be available for community use and generate revenue to support ongoing programs.
The new center is intended to complement — not replace — existing operations in Multnomah Village, where Meals on Wheels People’s Central Kitchen and Westside Resource Center will continue to operate. Together with emergency meal storage sites in Southwest and Southeast Portland and in Vancouver, the organization aims to maintain a coordinated, region-wide service network.
A key feature of the Eastside Resource Center is its role as a community resilience hub. The building is designed to remain operational during emergencies, equipped with solar power, battery storage, and a backup generator. It will be capable of storing up to 45,000 frozen meals and 30,000 shelf-stable meals and may serve as a safe gathering place during extreme heat, winter storms, and other disruptions.
Older adults are among the most vulnerable populations during emergencies, and demand for services continues to grow. Meals on Wheels People remains one of the few providers nationwide without a waitlist for meals, an approach that requires significant infrastructure and preparedness.
“The need doesn’t pause during a heat wave or a storm — and neither can we,” Washington said. “This facility ensures we can continue showing up, without interruption.”
Through the Together at the Table campaign, the organization is inviting community members, businesses, and partners to help fund the final phase of the project and support continued access to critical services for older adults across the Portland metro area.
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