Category Archives: Proper

It’s PROPER Time!
We’ve been providing grassroots celebrations of global, community and personal restoration since 1990: PROPER’s popular “good” FREE FOOD | Music & Performing Arts ENTERTAINMENT | “PROPER” Resources and Engaging Kid’s and Family Activities with prizes: COMMUNITY. As usual, expect a fun time by all from 12-4pm Saturday, August 31 at Kenton Park.

This is our 22nd annual PROPER Festival with live music and performing arts entertainment (poets, dancers, African drummers, Native drummers, jazz, soul and Gospel music), Live Paint Show, PROPER (People Reaching Other People Expecting Restoration) One-on-Ones (financial, entrepreneurial, health/wellness, relational, ecological, and more resources) with Health screenings including Hepatitis, Note: Diabetes requires 3 hour pre-fast, Children’s area, Family relays, games and prizes, Free Food! It’s all in the name of “uniting community across all lines.”

See you there!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Reach out to your community while strengthening your natural talents
Various pre, during, post festival positions– Flyer Distribution | Set up/Tear down | Children’s Activities & Prizes | Family Activities, Relays & Prizes | Stage Performers | Live Paint Artists | Live Art Coordinator | Office | Resource Booths | Health Screening Van | Free Food Booth -donations

GENERAL CONTACT: Robin Gordon 503-890-5393, [email protected]
CULTURAL, PERFORMANCE ARTISTS: Deborah Sampson 503-286-1488, Deborah at properusa.net
VOLUNTEERS, et al: Kim Higley 1-303-918-3432, Kim.higley at gmail.com
BOOTHS: Deborah Sampson 503-286-1488, Deborah at properusa.net
FOOD, donations: Michael Hunter 503-936-3704, mhunter at ctoregon.org

The Story of one of our guests

Our story is all for the glory of God! I was struggling in addiction which led me to be homeless. I am from Los Angeles and because of my homelessness I made my way to the PNW. In 2017, I met my husband in WA, and we made our way to OR.

During this time, I believed that God could deliver us and set us free, making us new creations. I did not believe once an addict always an addict because that’s not what the Bible says.

God is a good God and a very merciful God and completely delivered me from addiction to alcoholism in 2021! Praise the Lord. In my new life, God has shown me how to become a godly wife and to continue praying for my husband’s deliverance which is now a reality!

I work for a homeless shelter in Salem doing outreach case management for people who are living outside and share the love of Christ with others and freedom.

My husband and I were in Portland from 2017-2019 and in 2017 we were living in Delta Park under a bridge. We heard about a meal that everyone was going to and found ourselves at your church. I still remember the day and all the love we felt and how full we left! Thank you so much and may God continue to blessing you for serving the people for free.

Join Us for our FREE Thanksgiving Day Dinner

Join us on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 28th, 2024 from Noon to 4PM at Celebration Tabernacle located at 8131 N. Denver Ave, Portland OR 97217.

The Proper Thanksgiving Feast-ival is a beloved Kenton tradition for over 20 years. In fact, this will be the 25th year of us offering a home-away-from-home Thanksgiving community meal! The Proper Thanksgiving Feast-ival is completely FREE and open to everyone! Whether you come every year, or you’re joining us for the first time, we will be glad to see you.

The Proper Thanksgiving Feast-ival features music, entertainment, kids’ activities, an inclusive community experience, and great food. We offer vegetarian options, too. Hosted in a wheelchair-accessible space.

We partner with local restaurants to bring you a fresh and delicious Thanksgiving feast. In 2023, we’re pleased to announce that we’re partnering once again with Po’Shines Cafe de la Soul! We’ll have an awesome team bring you a top-quality menu, carefully composed of traditional Thanksgiving favorites and innovative new dishes. We offer vegetarian options too!

Proper depends on our neighbors to support our mission of uniting community across all lines. We receive support from local businesses, community foundations, individual donors, and volunteers. If you or your organization would like to get involved with Proper, we look forward to speaking with you.

Proper is committed to a diverse Kenton as part of our greater mission. Like all Proper events, the Proper Thanksgiving Feast-ival is a safe space for all community members, regardless of race, class, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, ability, nation of origin, age, or religion.

GENERAL CONTACT: Robin Gordon 503-890-5393, [email protected]
CO DIRECTOR: Amy Close [email protected]

Volunteer spots are open now.  Click here
FOOD, donations: Robin Gordon 503-890-5393, [email protected]