St. Francis of Assisi Parish, located in the inner city of Portland, has a mission of hospitality. This mission has motivated the community to serve those who are in need regardless of their particular circumstances. A large part of the mission takes place in St. Francis Dining Hall which serves a meal to all in need six days a week year round. The Dining Hall mission to feed hungry people is supported by direct mail solicitations, business donations, several small grants and an Annual Mardi Gras Auction which will be held this year on March 5th at the Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St. Portland. Tickets are $75 with tables for ten sold at $700.

 

The St. Francis Parish Community supports the Dining Hall program in a variety of ways. Showers are offered two days a week in the building that houses parish offices and community meeting space. The church office is the mailing address for more than 125 people who do not have another mailing address. Designated space on the campus is set aside for the daytime storage of bicycles and shopping carts. During extreme weather the parish opens up space for people who are not able to access the larger public winter shelters, sometimes adjusting the parish schedule at times to accommodate the needs of the poor.

 

On Sundays, parish members share space during after mass hospitality so that folks with no other place to go can come in out of the weather and have a cup of coffee in a welcoming environment. Weekdays the church basement becomes St. Francis Dining Hall. The buildings, kitchen, coffee maker, chairs, tables and all the necessary furnishings of St. Francis Dining Hall, are extremely well used by the worshipping and dining hall communities.

 

The St. Francis Dining Hall has made its home at St. Francis Parish since 1979.  Originally the Hall was operated by volunteer Catholic Workers who were associated with the parish using donated or gleaned food, and utilities, space,  appliances, dishes and utensils  provided by St. Francis Parish.  From the mid-eighties to mid-nineties the parish partnered with St. Vincent de Paul as the mission expanded and the need grew beyond volunteers. In 1995 the Parish took full responsibility for the mission as the changing needs of the neighborhood, parish and low-income population continued to evolve. The Parish has always considered the Dining Hall to be part of its mission to the inner city.