Coming Together for Lasting Change
We’re celebrating 10 years of working alongside our community to ensure no one goes to bed hungry. Since the first bag of groceries were distributed to a few pantry guests in 2013, our impact has grown exponentially to now serving over 800 families monthly.
We couldn’t have reached this milestone without our community of supporters, so we’re throwing a party. Join us on September 9th for a free, family-friendly afternoon with activities for kids and adults.
We have a fun afternoon planned, including a hot sauce competition with special guests who will turn up the heat on our party. Plus, September is Hunger Action month, so it’s even more reason to celebrate.
Celebration Details
When: Saturday, September 9th
Time: 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Where: Bethlehem House of Bread, 9055 SW Locust St., Tigard, OR 97223 (Parking: If there are no spaces in our lot, Metzger Elementary across the street has offered its parking lot. You can also park in the neighborhood around BHOB.)
Highlights: Hot sauce competition, BHOB Bingo, live music (Midshelf String Band), hearty snacks, activities, pantry tour, and more!
The Hot Sauce Competition
Turning 10 years old is a significant milestone, but we recognize there is work still to be done to address the unprecedented level of need in our community. It’s time to turn up the heat to create lasting change in the fight against hunger.
Our brave hot sauce competitors will eat chips dipped in progressively hotter hot sauces while being asked questions about how best to address hunger in our community, while sharing a little bit about themselves. Local hot sauces will be used in the competition.
Your role? Cheer on our friendly contestants while asking them hot questions about addressing hunger.
The Hot Sauce Competitors
Yi-Kang Hu, City of Tigard
Yi serves as the City’s Council President. He works as an attorney specializing in FDA law and regulation. He was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the United States as a child with his family. Yi enjoys spending time outside hiking with his husband and their dog.
Representative Ben Bowman
Ben represents House District 25 in the State Legislature. He’s a 7th generation Oregonian with deep roots in his district. He previously worked for the Oregon Department of Education. Ben helped found Packed with Pride, a food bank serving the area.
Sue Rieke Smith, Superintendent, Tigard-Tualatin School District
For over two decades, Sue has served as a champion for public schools. She joined the Tigard-Tualatin School District in July 2018. Her career began with the Salem-Keizer School District and previously was the Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools.
Our Host & Official Cheerleader
Matt Kuerbis, HYCH
Matt is professional chef and educator. He splits his time between running his hot sauce company, HYCH (Heat You Can Handle) with his wife, and teaching culinary classes and leading culinary adventures around the world. He is the former Director of Education of Le Cordon Bleu Portland.
Margaret Doherty, Former Oregon State Representative
Margaret represented House District 35 from Sept. 2009 – Jan. 2021, which continues a family tradition of public service. She has always been a champion for public education. In retirement, she is involved in local community groups.
To a Healthy Future
While this is a free community event, we’re encouraging guests to bring a donation of a condiment/sauce to support Bethlehem House of Bread’s Monthly Pantry Challenge.
Can’t join the party? Make your tax-deductible contribution today so together continue creating a healthy, thriving community to provide food for better lives (select “10th Anniversary” from the drop-down menu on the giving page).
Interested in volunteering at the event or in the pantry? Send us an email.
"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about."
— Margaret J. Wheatley
