About Us
/aboutThe trust page. History, board, finances and accreditation in one place, for funders and for anyone checking us out before they give.
Structure review — what is on each page, in what order. Layout treatment, photography and finished design come after this.
Our Mission
Who we are
Fifty-five years in, the work is still one meal and one doorway at a time.
1970
Serving the region since
28,000+
Meals served each week
3
Counties: Multnomah, Washington and Clark
Our History
1969
Incorporated as a nonprofit in Portland
February 1970
The first center opens at Lincoln Street Methodist Church
June 1971
Recognised by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
1973
Meals kept moving through the oil crisis
1975
The first central kitchen opens at NE 42nd and Sandy
1979
The kitchen moves to a refurbished Safeway at SE 52nd and Woodstock
May 1980
Deliveries continue through the Mount St. Helens ashfall
Late 1980s
“The Meals On Wheels People” is added to the Loaves & Fishes name
1996
Meals reach clients on horseback during the Willamette River floods
2003
The Elm Court and Two Rivers centers open
March 2003
The Central Kitchen and Resource Center opens in Multnomah Village
January 2004
Emergency drivers keep Meals on Wheels running through the ice storm
2006
Service begins in Clark County, Washington
February 2006
The Thelma Skelton Center opens in Southeast Portland
September 2012
Loaves & Fishes Centers becomes Meals on Wheels People
2014
Suzanne Washington becomes Chief Executive Officer
July 2014
Meals 4 Kids begins, funded by the Portland Children's Levy
2019
The Diner Vancouver opens
March 2020
Dining centers close and delivery goes no-contact
Spring 2020
Friendly Chats launches
September 2020
Wildfire smoke halts delivery for two days
2021
The 82nd Avenue building is purchased
June 2021
Meals go out early ahead of the heat dome
August 2021
The first electric delivery van with solar-powered refrigeration in the US enters service
March 2023
Diners Club launches
January 2024
An ice storm closes deliveries across three counties for three days
January 2024
PGE Renewable Development Fund grant funds solar and battery storage on 82nd Avenue
March 2024
Trillium Community Health Plan grants $1.75M to Medically Tailored Meals
March 2026
Accredited by the Food Is Medicine Coalition
April 2026
Together at the Table opens the campaign for the Eastside Resource Center
Leadership & Board
Suzanne Washington
Chief Executive Officer
Jessica Morris
Chief People & Strategy Officer
Shelah Hanson
Chief Development Officer
Linda Reynolds
Chief Financial Officer
Renata Wilson
Chief Operations Officer
Auto — 6 affiliations
#impact-figures2,000+
Volunteers
28,000+
Meals Prepared/Week
84¢
Of every dollar goes directly to meals and support.