Our Story
Our Community has grown one step at a time.
Mainspring’s first step was made by establishing as a nonprofit called Fish Emergency Service.
In 1967, the Vietnam War raged. Terry Shrunk was the Mayor of the City of Portland. A committee from East Central Church Community Action Program (EastCAP) under the Umbrella of the Greater Portland Council of Churches formed the original Fish. A new idea was born; the idea to form an organization that would provide for children, families and seniors in need on the nearest east side in Portland.
Thirteen church congregations drew together in the EastCAP organization with the original volunteers coming from these church communities. There were Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal and Lutheran parishes.
1967: Fish began at Centenary Wilbur Methodist Church, Jean Higginbotham, a former RN, served as the first official Director. Jean worked tirelessly with volunteers and the community.
Early 1970’s Fish kept growing thanks to volunteers collecting area-wide clothing-drives and food gleaning.
1977: Arson fire virtually destroyed all food and clothing. Westminster Presbyterian provided temporary quarters for Fish.
1978: Fish moved to 1335 SE Hawthorne. Phil Nickel from Nebraska was the first Volunteer Manager.
1985: Barbara Jo Winans “Jobie” served as director elect after the Director Jean Higginbotham died suddenly.
1988: Gloria Colvin becomes the third director of FISH.
1991: Another fire burned off the back porch and community donations poured in..
2012: Gloria Colvin retired and Fish started the rebranding process with the assistance of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon and Hollis Bredewig serving as interim director.
2013: Deborah Tuner is hired to serve as the Executive Director to implement a grocery store model food pantry.
2014: Gabrielle Mercedes Bolivar is hired as the Executive Director and begins to prioritize the rebranding process with the Board of Directors.
2014: In the Summer of 2014 Melody Macready is hired on as the Operations & Volunteer Manager.
2014: In the fall of 2014, Robert E. Tupper, the Fish Food Inventory Coordinator passes away after an abrupt and sudden illness. His loss is felt by all whose lives he touched.
2015: Fish is renamed Mainspring Portland. Mainspring is awarded their first federal contract through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) serving seniors living at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
2015: Vincent Vitchell joined Mainspring family as the Food Inventory, Facility & Driver Coordinator
2015: Kyle Urban named Mainspring Director Senior Programs & Volunteer Manager
2016: Taffy Urban named Operations Coordinator of Mainspring.
2016: US Dept. of Agriculture increases the Senior Food program contract with Mainspring through the Commodities Supplemental Food Program.
2017: Mainspring sold the Hawthorne location and purchased an accessible building located at 3500 NE 82nd in the Madison South Neighborhood. This building will have greater access to program participants using public transit and program service area is on the main floor and will be accessible to all.
2017: April: Mainspring opened at our new location! 3500 NE 82nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97220
2019: Aja McLeggan joined the Mainspring team as our Food Pantry Manager
2019: Jose Rensoli joined the Mainspring team as our Food and Facility Assistance Manager
2019: Jose Roberto Martinez joined the Mainspring team as Food Program Director
2020: March Covid-19 Pandemic impacted Mainspring services. Mainspring reduced staff to balance the budget and moved all food operations outside in an open air, Farmers Market style. This gives program participants dignity and honors their culture as they self select foods meaningful to their household.
2020: Mainspring increased community partnerships with nonprofit social service agencies, public school staff, affordable housing programs and additional partners to reduce barriers and increase access to food in our community.
2020: Christopher Fleming joined as Mainspring Team as the Food Program Director
2022: Tamara Nava Islas joined the Mainspring Team as the Deputy Director
2023: Lorren Snowwolf has been the latest addition to the Mainspring Team as Operations Manager/Fiscal Coordinator
Current Mainspring Team
Kyle Urban, Executive Director, kurban@mainspringpdx.org
Lorren Snowwolf, Operations Manager/Fiscal Coordinator, Human Resource, Volunteer Community Coordinator, lsnowwolf@mainspringpdx.org
Roberto Martinez, Food Program Director, rmartinez@mainspringpdx.org
Christopher Fleming, Food Program Coordinator, cfleming@mainspringpdx.org