We have literally been ripped apart from our community and neighbors over the last couple of years.  Such sadness...we're all working to try to reconnect with others in our communities and neighborhoods.  One program that is working to do this for those that might not otherwise have a "community" or "neighborhood" is COMMUNITY DINNERS. With who we are and what we love to do, we thought that Community Dinners was the perfect choice for our second quarter #Cateringforacause. We look forward to contributing to their cause.

. It's difficult to believe that we are already into a new year! Here's to hoping that 2022 is good to everyone.  We'd like to start off the year in support of ​Youth Rights Justice. This organization was brought to our attention by one of our employees.  She is blessed to work her fulltime days with them and has told us on many occasions how impactful it is to her life. 
Established in 1975, Youth, Rights & Justice is Oregon’s leading nonprofit law firm dedicated exclusively to children and families. They bring a trauma-informed lens to all of their work; seeking to promote resilience, dignity and respect. They work with children and families from all walks of life. 
This firm helps to bring hope into the lives of all of the clients that they represent. We are honored to have this organization be our first quarter #cateringforacause. 

Homelessness, we see this growing challenge all around us especially in the after affects of last year. There are many agencies trying to help those in need. One such place is Annie Ross House, our 4th quarter #CateringforaCause.
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 Since 1986, as a core program of Northwest Housing Alternatives, the Annie Ross House is the only shelter for families experiencing homelessness in Clackamas County. Annie Ross House can serve up to 8 families at a time, each of whom receives a private room equipped with a bathroom and kitchenette for maximum privacy and dignity throughout their shelter stay. Families work with a case manager from the HomeBase program to set goals and create a work plan to move into permanent housing.
Families staying at Annie Ross House participate in classes such as Rent Well, financial education, and after-school educational groups for kids. These classes provide opportunities to build skills and knowledge which lead to success in permanent housing. The average length of stay for families in Annie Ross House from date of entry to moving into their own permanent housing is 66 days.

We can't comprehend the devastation that a fire causes, especially those that many people in our state faced last year.  For those with insurance to replace things and property, it is a little less of a struggle.  What about those neighbors that don't have insurance or the means to clean up and rebuild? Well, a community of volunteers blossomed out of the need created by the devastation of some of the fires last year. Community members in and around the Echo Fire in Otis, have come together to help in the clean up and support their neighbors. Out of that Cascade Relief Team was formed.  This community of dedicated people, offers services such as supply donation pickup coordination and drop off to affected areas, livestock rescue and temporary relocation, and resource connections.
TCR is proud to be supporting Cascade Relief Team during our third quarter of 2021.

How do we deal with all of the grief in our lives? As adults, most of us are able to process it. But what about children that are faced with unspeakable tragedy in their lives? How do they deal with the grief? There is a place, The Dougy Center has been working with children for over 35 years! 
Recently one of our staff family shared with me how amazing Dougy Center has been with his family, in helping his nieces and nephew deal with the loss of their parents. Working with each of the kids to process and cope with moving forward with their new "normal". We are grateful for organizations like Dougy Center and the work that they do to help make this world a better place. That is why we have chosen Dougy Center as our second quarter # CateringforaCause.

As we enter 2021, we hope for many things.  We hope that the pandemic would  get under control, getting us to a more "normal" life again; we hope for peace, that our country will be kind to one another no matter our differences; we hope for those of us that have been affected financially by COVID would see some better news. Each of us has hope for many things, we hope that yours will be realized this year!
Even though our business has been affected with the "shut downs", we continue to feel that it is important to "GIVE BACK".
Giving "new hope" on a regular basis, are the folks at WITH LOVE. This organization helps foster families find clothing, blankets, school supplies and other needed items, WITH LOVE was founded by a foster mom in need and today, with the support of amazing volunteers and generous sponsors, WITH LOVE provides for 120 Portland foster families each month. We at TCR Catering are proud to support WITH LOVE, during this first quarter of 2021, as our #Cateringforacause.

I can not believe that we are into the 10th month of this 2020. We never officially designated a recipient for our third quarter Catering for a Cause. I think that was mostly due to the COVID situation in the world and how troubled, for lack of a better word, things have been.  We, thankfully, are continuing to have our doors open. Even in uncertainness for much of the time. I'm so incredibly thankful for all of our loyal customers that have continued to visit our food truck (The COOP!) and order boxed lunches and dinners, from our catering kitchen! 
Even though we didn't allocate a large lump sum for this last quarter, we have tried to maintain our giving spirit and have donated ongoing to Bloomin' Boutique. We also helped to raise funds for the volunteers that help out at Cherrywood Village Retirement Community and are always contributing to our first responders. We so appreciate all fire, police, military and all front line workers! TEACHERS!!! Thank you! 

In going into the last quarter of the year, and looking back at what we've been through, it's hard to say if we can give at the level that we would like to. However, we will be contributing to the Children's Center Virtual Gala and plan on sending support to the Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation. Each of these organizations rely on support from their community members, won't you see what you can do to help?

We are looking forward to a much brighter 2021!

This second quarter of 2020 surely hasn't started off the best. We are experiencing something in the world that we have never had to go through before. It has been challenging, to say the least. But, as always, we at TCR want to reach out any way that we can.

We've so appreciated that our food truck, The COOP!, has been well received and that folks have been coming out to support us!  We in turn will be supporting this AMAZING person and her organization, this quarter. #Cateringforacause.
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Bloomin' Boutique.  This non-profit organization, started by an AMAZING lady named Patti Serres. Not only does Patti own and operate, with her husband Dan, Serres Garden Center in Oregon City, but she is continually involved in many areas of the local community and bringing people together. Her organization, Bloomin' Boutique, which was formed in 2015, is dedicated to giving a hand up to underprivileged children, empowering them to become confident, constructive members of their communities. Bloomin' Boutique uses a referral process, partnering with other community organizations and agencies to provide these services. Your donations make a difference!
For more information about how and what you can donate, and where you can drop off your donations, click here or contact Patti at 503.320.0789 (pattiserres@comcast.net).

Three years ago, Clackamas County lost a very loving and giving soul, Teri Gant. Her remarkable ability to give all she had towards helping those in need, is part of what initially inspired TCR Catering to begin, Catering for a Cause. In honor of Teri, and all the joy and love she gave, we at TCR Catering feel so blessed to be able to continue Catering for a Cause...

In 2005, the American Military Encouragement Network began as an outreach to help support those who have or are currently serving their country. Over the years they have provided much needed supplies and assistance to soldiers, airmen, marines, sailors and military families. Forming a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit to increase their ability to support, A.M.E.N. continues today to be a valuable source of not just necessities, but also of hope and encouragement.

In 2018, A.M.E.N. grew into a warehouse in Clackamas. It was not long after, Clackamas County established the Veteran Village nearby. With needs rising, the A.M.E.N. Mercantile was opened, an area dedicated to providing free food, clothing, bedding, toiletries, and misc. items to all active duty, Veterans, and their families.

​As part of our commitment to giving back to those in need, and our privilege to continue in Teri’s honor, the first quarter of 2020 will be dedicated to Catering for a Cause, in thanks for all the love and joy spread to our community, through the A.M.E.N. Mercantile. TCR Catering promises to donate a portion of all proceeds from this quarter, to this wonderful nonprofit, benefiting our beloved brave, and their families.  
#CateringforaCause