'We really wanted to help': Portland's The Grotto battles food insecurity with charity event

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Grotto is bouncing back — and giving back — one month after a break-in left its monastery damaged. 

The Catholic sanctuary and scenic destination in Northeast Portland hosted a food drive event Wednesday to benefit the charity SnowCap. This all comes after The Grotto celebrated its 100th anniversary in January and after they’ve already held other charity events earlier this year. 

“We’re spending the first quarter of 2024 helping the community. So we had a blood drive earlier this year as well as a very successful coat drive. And now we’re focusing more on Multnomah County and specifically the food drive for SnowCap,” said The Grotto Director of Events Samantha Kocher. 

Kocher explained that, being a Catholic-based organization, they’re always trying to find ways to help others. 

“Food insecurity is such a sad thing in this community and we really wanted to help prevent that,” she said.

Though the main food drive event concluded Wednesday afternoon, people can still contribute to the effort until the end of March.

“We’ll also take food donations through the end of the month in our gift shop, which is right off our parking lot, so super easy to find. We’ll have a barrel right inside the front doors,” Kocher said.

When it comes to that break-in incident, Kocher said it was unfortunate but that the community support has been a huge help since then.

“We’re very fortunate that no one was hurt, including the intruder, and we’ve really been graced with the outpouring of support from the community.”

The East Portland-based SnowCap Community Charities is a food bank that provides community members with food, clothing and other services.