 Food Resources
As of tomorrow, November 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are going to be cut off for 143,000 people in Multnomah County – almost 1 in 5 residents. This is an unacceptable – and avoidable – crisis at the federal level. Alongside 21 other states, Oregon has filed a lawsuit against the USDA for suspending SNAP benefits and calling for the release of emergency funds to extend this essential benefit.
During this difficult time, I wanted to share some resources. First, it’s important to spread the word that any SNAP benefits already in an account will not be deleted. If you receive benefits you can continue to use any balance of funds you have. More information on SNAP benefits can be found here.
In this moment, Portlanders are taking care of their neighbors and community in beautiful and creative ways – local businesses offering free meals, popup food pantries, food drives, mutual aid groups, and increased support for food banks and services. Please donate money, goods, or volunteer hours as you are able.
If you are experiencing food insecurity, some resources include:
A partial list of restaurants in or near D3 offering food to those who are in need:
- Heretic Coffee, 5120 SE 28th Avenue
- El Sombrero Tapatio, 10820 NE Sandy Blvd
- Grassa, multiple locations including 1375 SE Hawthorne Blvd
- Laughing Planet Cafe, multiple locations including including 3320 SE Belmont Street, 4110 SE Woodstock Blvd, and 1914 NE 42nd Avenue
- Salvi PDX, 2030 SE 7th Avenue
- Pizzeria Stellina at the Heist Food Cart Pod, 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd
- Feral, 1640 NE Killingsworth Street
- Mama Chow’s Kitchen, 3757 SE Hawthorne Blvd
- Mikiko Mochi Donuts, 300 NE 28th Avenue
- Delicious Donuts, 12 SE Grand Avenue
- Mirisata, 2420 SE Belmont Street
- Harlow, multiple locations including 3715 SE Division Street
I’m so grateful for the generosity of this city. Let’s keep showing up for each other, and helping take care of our community.
 Mt. Scott Community Center Opening
Last Friday I had the joy of celebrating the grand reopening of the Mount Scott Community Center, a space that holds so many memories for District 3, and for me personally.
Like so many families in Southeast, I’ve spent a lot of time at Mt. Scott over the years. I brought my oldest son to his very first baby swim class in that pool, and remember the tiny swim diaper, big splashes, and even bigger smiles. Later, both my kids took their first basketball class in its gym as preschoolers, learning to take turns and cheer for their friends. And I’ve enjoyed the center myself too, swimming, joining a fitness class, or just catching up with neighbors in the lobby.
That’s what parks and recreation centers are about: connection. A space where we come together across generations to move, play, learn, and build community.
When Mt. Scott closed for renovations, that connection was tested. But community members didn’t give up on each other or the space. People showed up for virtual meetings and filled out surveys to make sure this renovation reflected their hopes and needs. Some members even organized exercise meetups in the park and kept friend groups and classes connected in creative ways. That is what makes Southeast Portland so special: we don’t just use our community spaces, we sustain them.
Now, we have an even stronger, more sustainable, more welcoming Mt. Scott Community Center. Ten thousand additional square feet means more space to learn, play, and grow together. There is a new event hall for gatherings, an expanded fitness center, solar power, and a modernized HVAC system that’s better for the environment and easier to maintain.
And of course I have to mention the two preschool classrooms that have been added. As a teacher, that makes me especially proud. Through Preschool for All, these classrooms are more than just spaces for play, they’re places where curiosity, kindness, and lifelong friendships begin.
A project like this doesn’t happen without a huge team effort. To the Portland Parks & Recreation staff, project managers, architects, construction workers, maintenance crews, and instructors: thank you. And to the Mt. Scott staff who worked to keep programs running elsewhere and welcomed everyone back with open arms: your commitment truly shines through every part of the updated building.
This project is also a testament to what happens when a city invests in its people. The Build Portland funds, the Portland Clean Energy Fund, and the Livability Fund all came together to make this space safer, greener, and more accessible for everyone.
As a mom, a teacher and as your D3 representative, I believe deeply that thriving communities start, grow and thrive in spaces like this, places that are open, inclusive, and full of life.
On Friday we didn’t just celebrate the reopening of a building, we celebrated the resiliency and renewal of COMMUNITY itself. Let’s honor the neighbors who made this possible and keep showing what it looks like when Portlanders come together. Welcome back to Mt. Scott Community Center! I’m looking forward to seeing us fill this space with laughter, energy, and connection!
Parks Levy
Please remember to vote by this Tuesday, November 4! A Parks Levy is on the ballot, which would replace the levy expiring this year.
The proposed Measure 26-260 would authorize a new property tax, which would begin in 2026 and continue for five years. Revenue would fund Portland Parks & Recreation’s maintenance and cleanliness of neighborhood parks, repair or renovation; park ranger safety visits and incident responses, natural area preservation and restoration, and access to recreation programming.
If the measure passes, PP&R would produce annual reports on how levy funds are being spent, and an oversight committee would review levy spending. The committee would report to City Council, which would approve levy budgets annually.
More information on the Parks Levy ballot initiative can be found here.
 Creston-Kenilworth Neighborhood Association
It was wonderful to meet with the Creston-Kenilworth Neighborhood Association Monday night. Vision Zero policy manager Dana Dickman and I talked about pedestrian safety, traffic concerns, and the Vision Zero plan, along with other neighborhood concerns. Thank you so much for your hospitality Creston-Kenilworth! I loved getting to connect, and look forward to future conversations.
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims honors those who have been killed and injured on road – 1.35 million people each year worldwide. Portland's World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims event will take place from 11 a.m. to noon on Sunday, November 16 at Luuwit View Park, NE 127th Avenue and Fremont Street. The event is hosted by Families for Safe Streets Portland with support from sponsors Oregon Walks and The Street Trust. I will be attending, and will continue to push for solutions to make our streets safer through the Vision Zero program. Working together we can prevent more tragic deaths and injuries, while remembering those who have been victims of road traffic harm and the families and loved ones impacted.
 The Independent Court Appointed Monitoring Team will be hosting a community Town Hall meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 13th at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, 3138 N Vancouver Ave. The team will be releasing a draft of its second compliance report for public review tomorrow. The meeting is an opportunity to share more about the settlement agreement and the Independent Monitoring Team's role in assessing compliance, and for community members to provide feedback on the draft report before final edits are made.
Community members are welcome to attend either in-person or virtually. An RSVP is requested for in-person attendance as space is limited; you can RSVP by sending an email to info@portlandpolicemonitor.com. To attend virtually you can click here.
Waterways Real and Metaphoric Ride
A tour of public art and community spaces will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 15 starting at Delicious Donuts, 12 SE Grand Ave. Sponsored by Portland Bureau of Transportation, the ride will highlight locations where rainfall and water play an important role in our city.
Hope & Bread Mission Event
Hope & Bread Mission will be holding a community event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. November 11, hosted by PDX Saints Love at 247 SE 82nd Avenue. Thanks to a grant from SE Uplift, this past summer Hope & Bread Mission had a teaching artist work with their weekly guests in a variety of media. The event on the 11th will feature photography, art, refreshments, and creative opportunities for all attending. You can learn more about Hope & Bread here.
"Classroom 4" Documentary
A free showing of the film Classroom 4 will be shown at 5 p.m. November 9 at Clinton Street Theater, 2522 SE Clinton Street. The documentary is about the Inside-Out Prison Exchange class, which includes undergraduates from Lewis & Clark College and incarcerated students at the Columbia River Correctional Institution. There will be a post-screening Q&A with L&C Professor Reiko Hillyer, who teaches the class featured in the film, along with formerly incarcerated students from the class, moderated by Portland author Lois Leveen. Click here to reserve your free ticket. PBS will broadcast Classroom 4 nationally as part of its POV American Documentary series, starting on November 25.
Time Change Reminder
Just a reminder that Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, so you’ll want to set your clock back an hour before going to bed!
 The fall color has been so beautiful this year! The falling leaves and rain are a good reminder to prepare for winter. On this list of resources from PBOT is information about the adopt a storm drain program. PBOT crews work to keep more than 58,000 storm drains clear, and you can help! By "adopting" a storm drain near you and helping keep it clear of debris, you help keep your street safe and clear from ponding water.
Water Bill Assistance
As part of the City Council meetings this week, we heard about the latest Bull Run Treatment Projects report. An important part of that conversation that I would like to highlight is that the city has a program to help with residents’ water bills. To see if you qualify and to get more information about the program click here.
Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee
Metro is seeking two community representatives to fill positions on the Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee (TPAC). The TPAC provides input on transportation planning and funding priorities for the region. These community representative positions will serve two-year terms. To apply, submit an online application form by November 17.
Natural Spaces Survey
The GreenME team at OHSU-PSU School of Public Health is conducting a survey aiming to understand how people living in North Portland, Southeast Portland east of 82nd Avenue, and in Gresham have used natural spaces and services, and how that affects mental health and well-being. To take the survey click here.
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