Team’s volunteer efforts expected to feed 5,000 Portlanders in need

PORTLAND, Ore. – On November 5th from 2-7 p.m. at the Rose Garden, the Portland Trail Blazers and Providence Heath & Services hosted the Harvest Dinner – the largest dinner of its kind in Portland – for as many as 5,000 homeless and/or critically-low income individuals.

For the 14th consecutive year, Harvest Dinner was executed entirely through volunteer efforts of Trail Blazers staff, players, coaches, community partners, local media members and corporate partners. The Thanksgiving-style meal is available exclusively to clients of local organizations and agencies that serve homeless and critically low-income individuals and families. Additionally, members of the Trail Blazers volunteer team will make some special meal deliveries in partnership with Loaves and Fishes.

“Our organization has been committed to this event for 14 years. It’s an honor to continue this tradition with giving partners like Providence,” Trail Blazers president Larry Miller said. “We look forward to the day when this event is no longer necessary, but as long as there is a need, we feel that it is our responsibility to help make it better for our friends and neighbors in the Portland community.”

Hunger continues to be a sobering issue in Oregon. For the second consecutive year, there has been a significant increase in the number of emergency food boxes distributed by the Oregon Food Bank. In Oregon, 200,000 people need emergency food in an average month – 75,000 of whom are children. Of the households receiving emergency food, 46 percent of them have at least one working member.

Several Trail Blazers corporate and community partners are chipping in to provide additional goods and services, including presenting partner Providence Health & Services, who will have staff members available to help answer health-related questions and provide flu shots.

“The Harvest Dinner is an important community outreach, and Providence is pleased to take part again this year,” said Dave Underriner, chief executive of Providence’s Portland Service Area. “This event shows the importance of compassionate service to all, which is at the heart of our Providence Mission.

• Fred Meyer has donated pumpkin pies for the dinner.
• Raz Transportation is assisting with transportation for guests who might not otherwise not be able to attend.
• Great Clips will provide free haircuts.
• Cricket Wireless will provide cell phones for free phone calls.
• Wells Fargo will sponsor a kids’ corner.
• Medical Teams International will provide five dental vans for free dental check-ups.


The Harvest Dinner is a cornerstone of the Trail Blazers ongoing pledge to make it better throughout Oregon and SW Washington. To read more about these events and learn what you can do to Make It Better for children and their families where they live, learn and play, visit www.trailblazers.com/makeitbetter .

ABOUT THE PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS The Portland Trail Blazers, members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), were founded in 1970, and purchased by Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team’s rich heritage includes 27 playoff appearances, an NBA championship in 1977 and a commitment to community service. With a corporate mission to “Make It Better,” the Trail Blazers strive to help children and their families throughout Oregon and southwest Washington live, learn, and play. The Trail Blazers are the first and only pro sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate community service. A long-time partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland led to the establishment of the Blazers Boys & Girls Club, the first team-sponsored club of its kind, and has resulted in contributions of more than $1 million. The Albina Head Start McCormack-Matthews Center, which provides education and health services to preschoolers and their families, was established in 2004 with nearly $1 million in contributions from Allen, the team, and former Trail Blazers star – and Portland native – Damon Stoudamire. For more information on the trailblazers visit www.trailblazers.com .

ABOUT PROVIDENCE HEALTH & SERVICES
Providence Health & Services - Oregon, ranked as the seventh most integrated health care system in the nation, offers a comprehensive array of health and education services through its eight hospitals, medical clinics, health plans, long-term care facilities and home health services. With more than 16,000 employees, Providence is the state's largest private employer. Visit www.providence.org/oregon www.providence.org/oregon.

ABOUT GREAT CLIPS
Great Clips continues to be North America’s largest single-brand hair salon franchisor with more than 2,700 salons in nearly 140 markets across the United States and Canada. Great Clips' salons employ nearly 30,000 stylists who receive ongoing training to learn advanced skills and the latest trends. Established in 1982, Great Clips perfected a system for delivering value-priced haircuts to the entire family in a convenient, no-appointment environment.