Category Archives: King School

Foodshare Fund Northeast Scales Back Program

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news from the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods:

Due to Increased Popularity and Demand, Foodshare Fund Northeast Scales Back Token Matching Program

Beginning August 1, local incentive program will match up to $5 in SNAP funds spent at King Portland Farmers Market instead of $10.
Portland, Ore., July 29, 2010 – The Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods Inc, (NECN) today announced the reduction from $10 to $5 in matching funds distributed through the Foodshare Fund Northeast (FFNE) program offered in partnership with the Portland Farmers Market (PFM), the nonprofit 501(c)6 organization, who operates the King Portland Farmers Market held on Sundays in the King neighborhood of Northeast Portland.

Foodshare Fund Northeast, a project of the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods – a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to highly inclusive civic engagement and innovative community initiatives in Portland’s inner North and Northeast neighborhoods – FFNE was launched in early July 2009 to increase access to fresh, nutritious food for low income residents of North and Northeast Portland. The successful local neighborhoods project is truly volunteer-driven, community-funded and staff-supported. It also serves as a model partnership between two different organizations, NECN and PFM, where missions are complementary and benefit the greater community.

Funded by individuals and local businesses, FFNE offers a limited dollar-for-dollar match to SNAP participants using their EBT cards to purchase $1 tokens at the King Market. For the first three months of the current market season, the maximum amount was $10 per person perweek, but due to the significant increase in weekly shoppers, that amount has been reduced to $5 for the duration of the market season, which runs through October.

FFNE co-chair and Northeast neighbor Traci Manning shared, “The program has drawn more and more regular shoppers week after week. In filling their bags with local produce and other goods, we’ve been filling a great need in the North/Northeast neighborhood. Unfortunately, it also means that the funds are being depleted faster than we had budgeted.”

She added, “Rather than risk running out of funds before the end of the season, we have decided to reduce the match back to its original $5 level effective August 1. Although we will still need to secure additional funds to get through the full season, we’re confident we will get the necessary support. Our goal is to have excess funds for the start of next season.”

By most measures, FFNE has been a resounding success. Since its inception, FFNE has raised $22,000 from neighborhood associations, local businesses, community groups, and individuals, and has served 2,500 people. NECN’s Board of Directors and its neighborhood associations have generously contributed to the Fund for two years in a row. Prior to the program, EBT customers made up just 1% of market customers. That number has risen steadily since the match was introduced, and EBT customers now account for 6% of all market customers. EBT spending at the market rose from an average of $2000 a month before the match to more than $6000 a month with the match. The fund has also inspired a sister project, Fresh Exchange, which began this year at the Buckman Portland Farmers Market in Southeast Portland.

Oregon ranks number two in the nation for the number of citizens that experience food insecurity (source: OregonHunger.org). In 2009, one in six Oregonians received SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) benefits. Individuals and businesses interested in contributing to FFNE can make an online donation via the NECN website (please indicate that it is intended for FFNE) or send a check made out to the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods-Foodshare Fund Northeast” to: “Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN), 4815 NE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211. For further information about the program, contact Paige Coleman, Executive Director at 503 823-3151 or Imani Muhammad, Community Initiatives Coordinator at 503-823-4264. Shoppers are welcome at the King Portland Farmers Market every Sunday through October 31, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It is located at NE 7th and Wygant between NE Alberta and NE Prescott, in the parking lot adjacent to King Elementary School.

Grant High VP Selected as King Principal

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Kim Patterson

Kim Patterson

At the end of this school year, Kim Patterson, a Vice Principal at Grant with a long and varied resume in education as teacher, counselor, curriculum coordinator and administrator, will take over as King School Principal. Ms. Patterson pledges to be visible in the community, reach out to parents, and raise achievement and innovation at the school while making the building and grounds more attractive. Prior to the transition on July 1st, she will be meeting individually with staff members to forge a good working relationship and to learn of their hopes and dreams for the school.

King Farmers Market Reopens May 2nd

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Photo by Kenneth Aaron

The King Farmers Market will open its second season on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 10:00 am at NE 7th and Wygant (a block south of Alberta, adjacent to King School Park.) The market will continue every Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm, through October 31.

After a highly successful first season, the King Farmers Market is back, bigger and better than before with more produce vendors, more special events, music, meat, cheese, cut flowers, plant starts, hot food, cooking demonstrations, and an adjacent children’s playground. This year, Oregon Trail Card (food stamp) users can receive up to $10 in matching tokens for use at the King Farmers Market.

Join your neighbors on May 2 and every Sunday to celebrate a new season of the freshest local food.

King School Pre-Kindergarten:Full Day in 2010-2011

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King School’s free Pre-Kindergarten classes were reduced to half-day this year but funding is in place now to bring back the full day program. School staff are now trying to estimate the number of students for the coming year. If enough are found, another Pre-K teacher will be needed. If you have a child who will be 4 in September, contact the school or come to one of the Kindergarten round-up events scheduled. King School’s round-up will be at 1:30 and 5:30 on February 25th or call and schedule a visit.

Bobby Fouther to Receive Spirit of Portland Award

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Bobby FoutherBobby Fouther, dance instructor, artist, member of the Oregon Ballet Theatre outreach staff, and tireless King School supporter and volunteer has been selected to receive the “Independent Spirit Award” for his work in the community. I hope you can attend the ceremony and celebrate. Admission is free to all.

25 winners will be receiving the coveted 2009 Spirit of Portland Award during an evening ceremony at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 starting at 7 p.m. The group of winners includes those chosen in various categories by the Selection Committee last week and those selected by Council members to receive the newly created Commissioner’s Award.

The Award Ceremony will be held in the Newmark Theatre, one of the PCPA’s three theatres. A reception with cake and beverages in the spacious lobby downstairs will follow. The Newmark Theatre is located inside Antoinette Hatfield Hall, 1111 SW Broadway at the Main Street intersection in downtown Portland.