Birch Community Services, Inc.

05/11/2026

Insurance can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even unnecessary until life reminds us why it exists. Our newest blog post takes a practical look at insurance, emergency funds, deductibles, and how to think through financial risk without fear or panic.

Insurance isn’t just about preparing for worst-case scenarios. It’s about protecting the life you’re building and the people connected to it.

Read the full post here:

Insurance is about more than premiums. It’s about protecting against high-impact risks. Learn how to evaluate likelihood, severity, and financial stability.

04/15/2026

What strengths are you already bringing to the table?

Before making a change, it helps to step back and take a closer look at your skills, experience, and what you do well.

This is Week 2 of Financial Literacy Month. Each week, we’re exploring practical ways to build long-term financial stability.

Start here: bcsi.org/wk2

04/08/2026

What would change if your work supported the life you actually want to build?

At Birch, everything starts with your Family Vision. From there, we look at how your income, decisions, and daily habits move you forward.

This is Week 1 of Financial Literacy Month. Each week, we’ll explore practical ways to build long-term financial stability.

Start here: bcsi.org/wk1

02/18/2026

We’re proud to join Starbucks in celebrating 10 years of Starbucks FoodShare, a partner-led program that helps move nourishing, ready-to-eat food from Starbucks coffeehouses into local hunger relief networks.

For years, Starbucks has supported Birch through FoodShare donations and Capacity Building funding, strengthening our ability to safely receive and distribute food in the Portland Metro area.

At Birch, food is not the finish line. It creates stability and breathing room so families can focus on what matters most. With that foundation, participants reduce debt, grow savings, and build toward their unique Family Vision.

We’re grateful for a partnership rooted in stewardship, sustainability, and a shared commitment to strengthening our community.

02/11/2026

Growing up, Rebecca experienced food insecurity, and that early instability stayed with her well into adulthood. Even as she worked hard to provide for her own family, especially after transitioning to a one-parent household, financial decisions often came with stress, uncertainty, and a lingering fear of falling short.

In this video, Rebecca shares how coming to Birch Community Services helped her build financial literacy and approach money with greater confidence. Through financial education and steady guidance, she gained skills that brought clarity to her decisions and a stronger sense of stability. Over time, that clarity made it possible to think beyond immediate pressure and focus on the future she wanted for her family.

Rebecca’s story reflects how Birch Community Services walks alongside families as they work toward long-term financial stability, at their own pace and on their own terms.

Learn more about Birch Community Services and our financial literacy programs at https://www.bcsi.org/start

02/03/2026

We’re excited to welcome Nancy Horton as Birch Community Services’ new Director of Business Operations.

Nancy brings deep experience in operational leadership and a thoughtful, people-centered approach to building strong systems. In this role, she’ll help strengthen how we steward resources, support our team, and sustain the work that allows families to build long-term financial stability.

Learn more about Nancy and what she brings to Birch here:

Birch Community Services welcomes Nancy Horton as Director of Business Operations, supporting strong systems, financial responsibility, and long-term growth.

01/22/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to Feed the Children and FedEx for showing up for our community in such a meaningful way this week.

Because of this partnership, 400 families were able to leave our warehouse with 40 pounds of food and essential household items. Days like this take coordination, trust, and a whole lot of hands. We’re thankful for partners who share that commitment, and for every volunteer who helped turn a busy morning into real support for local families.

Thank you for helping make this possible. 💚

01/06/2026

We’re truly grateful to be named one of the Portland Business Journal’s 2026 Nonprofit Partners. This year-long partnership is about more than visibility. It’s about recognizing the steady, often behind-the-scenes work nonprofits are doing every day to support our community.

We’re especially thankful to be included alongside so many thoughtful, committed organizations. It’s an honor to serve Portland together and to be part of a collective effort rooted in care, collaboration, and long-term impact.

We’re looking forward to the year ahead and the opportunity to learn, connect, and keep showing up for our community.

The groups were chosen by the full Business Journal staff.

12/31/2025

Week after week, families are showing up ready to build skills, ask hard questions, and move toward long-term stability. That kind of progress takes consistency, care, and a community willing to show up alongside them. Your support helps make that possible.

If you feel connected to this mission, we invite you to make your year-end gift today.

Give Today: www.bcsi.org/support

Gifts made before midnight on December 31 will be counted toward 2025.

12/30/2025

At Birch, sustainability isn’t a buzzword. It’s foundational.

Each week, we take in hundreds of thousands of pounds of high-quality surplus food and steward it with care, so it can become steady support for families building financial stability. That means strong systems, thoughtful sorting, and a deep commitment to using what we’re given wisely.

This year alone, we:
• Served over 1,300 households through our Sustainable Families program
• Helped provide food for nearly 50,000 people each week through our partner agencies
• Redistributed more than 15.4 million pounds of in-kind goods, with less than 6% ending up in a landfill

When we protect resources, we protect dignity. And when dignity is built into the way we operate, families have more room to build the legacy they want to leave behind.