Sunshine Division Delivers 1 Ton Of Turkeys For Charity

PORTLAND, OR — The Portland Police Bureau's Sunshine Division made its annual turkey donation to Self Enhancement, Inc. Monday to contribute to the Thanksgiving food baskets Self Enhancement will deliver to families in-need Nov. 23.

Along with food donations from Birch Community Services, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Pacific Foods, New Seasons, and United Salad, the Sunshine Division provided Self Enhancement with 1 ton of turkeys.

Since 1981, Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) has provided assistance to African American teens and families in Oregon as the state's largest African American-led nonprofit. Thanks to the generous donations from multiple Portland-area businesses and organizations, SEI will distribute its food baskets to 200 families on Tuesday.

"Due to economic hardships, many of our families are unable to purchase a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Choice of foods is not always balanced when households are financially strained and our families have to settle with buying unhealthy food options because meats and vegetables are so expensive," SEI Parent Involvement Program Manager Pat Bates-Sherman said in a statement. "This is our opportunity to provide a quality meal with nutritional value for Thanksgiving. We care that our families have a really nice holiday meal to share with their families."

PPB's Sunshine Division has been involved in various community outreach projects will countless organizations in Portland since 1923. Along with its holiday charities, the 95-year-old arm of the police bureau also runs two food pantries and emergency clothing sites at every precinct in the city.

"Sunshine Division's ability to provide food assistance to those who need it most in our community is reliant on the strength of our community partnerships," Sunshine Division Officer Matt Tobey said. "We are proud to support the great work SEI does with turkeys for the families they serve."

Photo via Portland Police Bureau's Sunshine Division