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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 2011)
2 0 ------ community------- OCTOBER 7,20)1 People seeking food and other items from Esther’s Pantry and Tod’s Corner may he sur prised to see a “For Sale" sign outside O ur House’s Milwaukie building, but executive director Wayne Miya says they shouldn’t worry— their services aren’t going anywhere. “Even though the clients at Esther’s and T od’s will see a big ‘For Sale’ sign, we are working on finding a new space so services can go on continuously," Miya says. The community resources will likely have to relocate when the building housing them is sold (it went on the market in July). The current home of Esther’s Pantry and Tod’s Corner, which provide supplemental items to people liv ing with HIV/AIDS, is owned by Providence I lealth and Services and has been offered rent- and utilities-f ree for more than five years. The services moved into the Providence- owned medical offices after Friends o f People W ith AIDS took over for Metropolitan Community Church in 2006. O ur House started running the programs in 2007. Es ther’s Pantry has supplied food— and Tod’s Corner, personal care items— to individuals living with 11IV/AIDS since 1985. “We would like to express our gratitude for all the years [Providence has] provided this facility free for us," Miya says. Now that Es ther’s Pantry and Tod’s Corner are looking for a new home, O ur 1 louse is calling on the community to help with the relocation by making additional donations, hosting food No Place Like Home Esther’s Pantry on the hunt for a new space BY ERIN RO O K drives or even suggesting a new space. Miya says O ur House currently has a com mercial Realtor on the hunt, but encourages community members to contact him if they know of a suitable home. The organization, which serves about 700 people annually, is hoping to trade up, so to speak. O ur I louse seeks a larger space (about 5,000 square feet) that is close in and near bus and MAX lines. Also on the wish list: ADA acces sibility, a telephone/internet connection, air conditioning and heating, 20 off-street parking spaces, a 500-square-foot reception area, enough electrical outlets for 10 refrigerators and a washer-and-dryer hookup. “Currently, the space that we have is a little small and kind o f difficult to navigate through. If there’s a lot of people waiting, some o f them have to wait outside... and face the weather,” Miya says. “We’re hoping that the new space will have space enough that we can have peo ple in a formal waiting room.” W W W .JUSTOUT.CO M The community E sther’s and Tod’s provide is a vital haven for vulnerable individuals who may have trouble accessing other food bank services. “Because we serve people exclusively with H IV and also low income, it’s a safe place for people with H IV to come. There is still a huge am ount o f stigma out there with regard to H IV and A ID S,” says Miya, adding that it can be especially hard for medically “deli cate” and transgender people to use other food banks. Though Miya doesn’t know for sure when (or, technically, if) Esther’s Pantry and Tod’s Corner will have to move, he’s doing every thing he can to ensure continuity o f service. “We’re just trying to be proactive,” Miya says. In the meantime, Esther’s Pantry is accept ing food donations, including canned foods (meats, beans, vegetables, fruits, etc.), boxed meals, peanut butter, grains and fruit juice. Donations can be made on location or at a variety of drop sites, including Just Out's of fices at 6234 N. Greeley Avenue or any event sponsored by the newspaper, such as the monthly Gay Skate at Oaks Park (held next on Monday, October 17). To suggest a location, email Miya at wmiya@ ourhouseofportland.org. 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