Portland Fruit Tree Project adds donation hub to Bethlehem House of Bread in Tigard - The Portland Tribune

Portland Fruit Tree Project adds donation hub to Bethlehem House of Bread in Tigard

Published 5:56 pm Tuesday, July 28, 2026

An organization that works to rescue unused fruit from backyards, community orchards and Portland parks has selected a Tigard nonprofit to be the newest hub for community donations.

On Thursday, July 23, the Portland Fruit Tree Project officially celebrated the opening of a second refrigerated distribution hub through a partnership with Bethlehem House of Bread in Tigard.

The nonprofit food pantry that provides groceries, meals and clothing for those facing food insecurity and financial hardship is part of a ministry program overseen by the Tigard United Methodist Church at 9055 S.W. Locust St.

Each year, volunteers and staff from Portland Fruit Tree Project bring to the refrigerated fruit hubs tens of thousands of pounds to distribute through food pantries across the region. Previously, the only place for locals to drop off produce to be distributed was at Leaven Community Center in Northeast Portland.

Bethlehem House of Bread appreciates fresh fruit efforts

Officials at the project said that federal changes to the federal SNAP food aid programs have reduced or eliminated food assistance to an estimated 7,000 Oregonians, citing statistics from the Oregon Department of Human Services.

“Fresh produce is one of the most requested items at our pantry, yet it’s often unavailable because of cost and limited supply,” Bethlehem House of Bread Pastoral Director Jeff Lowery said in a news release. “Recent reductions in (U.S. Department of Agriculture) funding have made access even more challenging. Our partnership with Portland Fruit Tree Project will help ensure more fresh, healthy food reaches the people who need it most.”

Portland Fruit Tree Project officials estimate that 28,000 pounds of quality fruit were donated to its Portland location last year.

Although originally envisioned as a gradual expansion, finding a west side hub to provide fruit became an immediate priority this year as community partners anticipated growing demand, according to fruit tree project officials. That resulted in a “transformational gift” from the Starseed Foundation, a Portland-based nonprofit that provides funds for educational, environmental and arts programs.

“This gift allows us to respond immediately rather than years from now,” Portland Fruit Tree Project Executive Director Heather Keisler Fornes said in a statement. “It means more fruit rescued, more volunteers engaged, and more healthy food delivered to local families.”

Other officials at the July 23 grand opening included Oregon Rep. Sue Rieke Smith from House District 26, Tigard Mayor Yi-Kang Hu and Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon Policy Manager Amanda Orozco.

Want to get involved?

Those growing produce and fruit can harvest their crops and sort it. That fruit can then be brought to the fridge outside Bethlehem House of Bread, 9055 S.W. Locust St. or Leaven Community Center, 5431 N.E. 20th Ave. in Portland.

Weigh the fruit on the provided scales, scan the QR code in the fridge to alert the Portland Fruit Tree Project that items have been dropped off, and await a thank-you note and tax receipt for the donation. From there, the nonprofit shares the donations to partner organizations across the region.