PORTLAND, Ore. — Christmas Eve is a time to reconnect with friends and family, but not everyone is lucky enough to have loved ones or a hot meal to eat.
Today, Potluck in the Park hosted its annual Christmas dinner for those in need at the Portland Art Museum. They’ve been fighting hunger since 1991.
Stefan Ferte' said just last year he was living on the streets.
“I lost a lot of my family. I’ve transitioned from being homeless and on the streets through the place I work and the community. I’m now housed and inside this year. It’s great because it’s cold and I’m old — that would suck,” said Ferte'.
Ferte works for Ground Score Association, which provides garbage service for those living in tents and camps. He said it’s easy to feel isolated while in survival mode and events like this bring the homeless community together. “You're not with your family, and this is a family environment. It makes it feel like family because as homeless folks we all are a family, one way or another.”
Randy Brooks said he has spent plenty of nights outside being wet and cold.
Things looked up for him when he got into a program that helped him get back on his feet.
“Most people appreciate it," said Brooks. "They have an opportunity to come and get a meal. Then maybe have a few gifts and things like that. A lot of the people out there on the streets don’t have places where they can go and get stuff like this."
Overall, homeless people I spoke with say they just want to be understood and are very appreciative of any help they receive.
“We’re not trying to harm the city," said Ferte'.
"A lot of us didn’t choose to be where we’re at — we just are. Again, just work with us and not against us.”
