A Meal.
A Home.
A Future.
Blanchet House serves every person who comes to our doors with dignity and without judgment. We believe everyone deserves food, clothes, community, and hope.
On a mission to alleviate suffering and offer hope for a better life by serving essential aid with dignity.
What We Do
Hot Meals
The Founders Café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday-Saturday. We serve freshly prepared, well-balanced meals to anyone who comes to our doors during meal hours.
Farm Program
Blanchet Farm, located one hour outside Portland, is a men’s transitional residential program that offers an opportunity to build a healthier, sober life in a rural setting.
House Program
The downtown Portland residential program offers a free safe space to recover and refocus for 8 months. Through dignity and respect, we help you build towards the life you want.
Women’s Shelter
Bethanie’s Room is an overnight shelter for women 18 years or older open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., 365 days a year.
Ways to Help
Volunteer
Compassionate people aged 14 and older are needed to serve meals, sort clothing, and more. Easily sign up online.
Donate
Your financial support makes a powerful difference in the lives of the people in need of Blanchet’s life-sustaining services.
Make
Help our guests experiencing homelessness from your home. Make toiletry care kits, sack lunches, or collect clothing and sleeping essentials.
Latest News & Events
Recent Posts / View All Posts
By Steve Cook Blanchet House Executive Director Often called the "Mother of All Relays," the 196-mile Hood to Coast (HTC) relay is an iconic Oregon endurance team event. It’s high on many Portland bucket lists, along with seeing swifts gather at Chapman…
Blanchet's On the Ledge Art Show Shines Light on Artists From All Walks of Life Blanchet House’s annual On the Ledge art show is back, bringing together local artists, supporters,…
Blanchet House volunteers offer cold drinks, water bottles, water misters, and care kits to help people find relief from the heat. People who come to our door can receive water…
Shared Tables, Shared Commitment On Sunday, we gathered for Blanchet House’s 12th annual Lend a Helping Hand Brunch, united by a shared commitment to our neighbors in need. As a…
OUR PHILOSOPHY
“How we walk with the broken speaks louder than how we sit with the great.”
Our Story
Blanchet House was founded in 1952 by a group of University of Portland alumni as a house of hospitality in the model of those established by the Catholic Worker Movement.
It started with a simple mission to offer food to the unemployed in Old Town. Since then, Blanchet has grown to provide clothing, hygiene items, community, and transitional recovery programs to thousands of people every year downtown and at a farm.
