2022 Blanchet House Brunch Award Recipients

Service Award – Breakfast Heroes

This group of steadfast volunteers arrives before dawn to ensure anyone in need of a hot breakfast and coffee can find one at Blanchet House served with compassion. The Service Award honors the following volunteers for their commitment to service and the outstanding impact they make in our community.

Al Riley Award – Bob’s Red Mill

Bob’s Red Mill’s dependable donation of oats and grits makes it possible for Blanchet House to offer a nutritious breakfast six days a week. Bob’s generous gifts of staple breakfast foods not only nourish people but also benefit kitchen efficiency by allowing chefs to better plan future meal needs. The Al Riley Award recognizes the legacy and impact organizations and people like Bob’s Red Mill make to better our community and reduce food insecurity.

Father Kennard Award – Jeff Heatherington and The Heatherington Foundation for Innovation and Education in Health Care

Jeff Heatherington is working to increase food security and access to health care for the most vulnerable in our community. The Heatherington Foundation made an extraordinary $1.5 million gift to Blanchet House that will ensure its life-saving services will reach those in need and secure the future of the mission. The Fr. Francis Kennard Award is given to people who inspire others to “get out in the streets and help” just like the Blanchet House founders’ original mentor.

Founders Award – MHAAO

The Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon’s peer support staff have become a bridge that connects Blanchet House’s residents and meal guests experiencing homelessness to life-saving resources. Every day peer support specialists employed by MHAAO work face to face with people inside and outside Blanchet House. The Founders Award is given to those who have undertaken formational work to further the mission of Blanchet House.