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 privately funded organization for 74 years, we must fundraise to cover our entire budget and sustain our work. Each year, we host a fundraising event to gather friends, family, individual supporters, and businesses to celebrate the people who make our mission possible and raise critical funds in a single day.

We were honored to hear from Governor Tina Kotek and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, whose advocacy for Oregonians facing hardship continues to inspire our work.

“We don’t wait for the perfect time to take action,” Governor Kotek reminded us.

Jim OHanlon, Sr., chats with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek at the Blanchet House Lend a Helping Hand Brunch on March 1, 2026, at the Portland Art Museum. Photo by Christine Dong.

It was a gift to see our 98-year-old founder, Jim O’Hanlon Sr., visit with Governor Kotek (pictured above). Two people shaped by Dorothy Day’s call to serve others. In 2027, Blanchet House marks 75 years of service to our community.

Emily Coleman and Steve Cook speak at the Blanchet House Lend a Helping Hand Brunch on March 1, 2026. Photo by Christine Dong.

Peer Support Specialists Erik Ramirez and Charitie Johnson speak at the Blanchet House Lend a Helping Hand Brunch on March 1, 2026. Photo by Christine Dong.

Co-Interim Executive Directors Emily Coleman and Steve Cook (pictured above) spoke about what called them to this mission. Peer Support Specialists Erik Ramirez and Charitie Johnson of PDX Peers (pictured below) showed what it truly means to walk alongside people with compassion, helping end suffering and homelessness. Watch their video!

The morning also included many joyful moments. Ten donors received a handcrafted item from the Blanchet Farm woodshop. The Tsen family (pictured below) went home with a beautiful multi-wood bowl with a lid made by artist Sam Cook.

The Tsen family with a wood bowl handcrafted by Sam Cook at Blanchet Farm.

Brunch attendees assembled 165 care kits containing basic hygiene items such as bath wipes, tissues, and clean socks. We will give them out at lunch today.

Together, we raised more than $460,000 to sustain Blanchet’s free café, transitional housing, Blanchet Farm, and Bethanie’s Room, our new women’s shelter. As a privately funded nonprofit, gatherings like this are essential to keeping our doors open.

Blanchet House Board member Michelle Lagos bids with others at the Lend a Helping Hand Brunch at the Portland Art Museum on March 1, 2026. Photo by Christine Dong.

Thank you to everyone who attended, gave, volunteered, and believes in this work. This community makes it possible.

We’re grateful to our friends at Portland Rescue Mission and Potluck in the Park, who served meals just a few blocks from the cafe so our guests wouldn’t go without while we were closed for the event.

We hope you will join us next year. To learn more about sponsoring or attending the brunch, please contact Steve Cook at [email protected].

WATCH: How Peer Support is Ending Homelessness

This year, we honored our Peer Support Specialists, who work tirelessly to help end homelessness one person at a time and alleviate suffering. They rarely have the opportunity to be recognized for their important work. You can watch the video that was played at the event to learn more about how they better our community.

WATCH: What Does Blanchet House Do?