Blanchet House
First Angel Squad visit: August 2015
Author: Jan Block
Feeding the hungry and housing those in need 63 years strong.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Blanchet House, a 63 yr. old non-profit that serves hundreds of hungry humans three times a day, houses men from off of the streets, and operates a “farm” in Colton, Oregon set up on a 12-step program for men in recovery. The site visit was ensued by a simple phone call from the Executive Director, Greg Baker, who, won-me-over with his enthusiasm, passion and the mere fact that he asked me to pull up my calendar while speaking to confirm a date. Plus, he threw it out there, that’d he’d station me on the serving line. That sealed the deal. Often enough, I have the desire to serve food to the hungry, but never quite know how to line that up. So…
I expected a dilapidated building, old serving systems, frumpy living quarters, and outdated kitchen equipment (trust me, I’ve seen the type). Instead I found a LEED Platinum certified building with top of line stainless-steel kitchen equipment, and an organized, and courteous, restaurant type atmosphere where patrons are served. At the helm of it all was Greg Baker, as a big teddy bear himself; he runs a tight ship over there. But the biggest take away from it all was the mantra in how they treat their dine-in guests – “make everyone feel comfortable, and look them in the eye”. The serving side of the establishment is set up to greet you with a host, and after swerving your way through a roped off line system, so to keep everyone in forward motion and not stagnant for too long (let’s just say there was security if you catch my drift), someone greets you at your assigned table with a hefty plate of food, and a smile. No serving lines for this place. How unique, right?!
I could go on and on about the orderliness of this place, about how their farm workers widdle all of the woodwork in the bedrooms like dressers and headboards and adirondack chairs, the deck that overlooks the bridge, or about the feeling you get that something good comes from its operations, but I just say: go see for yourself. Open those spoon- ladled door handles (picture above), and greet someone with a smile, and a plate of steaming hot food.
Thank you to Krista Tappan and Refinement Wagner for joining me. I look forward to our next not-for-profit visit in 45 days…oh yeah readers, fyi, this is becoming a “thing”. :)
Second visit: September 22
Author: Jan Block