Tomorrow Together

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Community College Foundation has announced that its annual fundraiser, the “Tomorrow Together” Gala presented by Comcast, will be held virtually for the first time ever.

On Saturday, April 10, the community is invited to tune in via KOIN, Portland’s CW or through the Foundation’s website at pcc.edu/tomorrowtogether, at 7 p.m. for the hour-long event. The fundraiser will feature guest appearances from luminaries such as The Honorable Margaret Carter, philanthropist Anne Naito-Campbell, musician Thomas Lauderdale, author Mitchell S. Jackson and many more. 

For nearly a decade, the community has come together to raise critical resources for PCC students during the annual gala. Over the past year, student need has grown more than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other related public health crises. While the future remains uncertain, the PCC Foundation is committed to building pathways to opportunity for those who need it most by raising $300,000 during the gala to provide scholarships for students.

Comcast’s Vice President of External Affairs and PCC Foundation Board Member Marion Haynes said, “Comcast is an enthusiastic supporter. PCC is an integral part of the fabric of our community, giving people from all walks of life a path to successful futures. We are proud to partner with PCC in its efforts to expand economic opportunities for its students.”

In 2020, the PCC Foundation granted $2.1 million in scholarships to more than 1,500 students. Through fundraising for the “Tomorrow Together” Gala, the Foundation hopes to award even more students in need next year. The Foundation also plans to award a Comcast scholarship for the 2021-22 academic year through its $50,000 sponsorship.

“Comcast’s gift to support PCC students is transformational,” said Christina Kline, PCC Foundation’s interim executive director. “We are incredibly grateful for their investment and their commitment to equitable student success.” 

For more information on how you can support this event and PCC students, visit pcc.edu/tomorrowtogether. 

About the PCC Foundation:

The PCC Foundation is a nonprofit organization that enriches lives and strengthens the region through support of education at PCC. The Foundation’s vision is that all students in the region have access to an excellent education at PCC and the support needed to succeed, regardless of their ability to pay. A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the PCC Foundation mobilizes private support for student scholarships and educational programs.

To find out more, call (971) 722-4382 or visit pcc.edu/foundation.

About Comcast Corporation:

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand.  NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About Portland Community College: Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 60,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, eight education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

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PORTLAND, Ore. – Following February’s winter storm, Portland Community College experienced a refrigeration malfunction at the Sylvania Campus in Southwest Portland that put 47 cases of food in jeopardy. But thanks to community partners, the food was able to find homes to serve those who need it most.

During a routine inspection, PCC Public Safety officers discovered water on the floor of the Food Service office indicating a serious compressor malfunction that ultimately required three walk-in refrigerators and two freezers to be shut down. College staff sprung into action to dry the area and, most importantly, find a home for the food before it spoiled. The following day, staff arranged for the Blanchet House, located in Downtown Portland, to pick up the cases of food — valued at over $1,500 — and ensure it reached those in need. Staff also coordinated donations to the Portland Rescue Mission.

PCC Food and Vending Services Manager Jean Atkinson said the quick response was the result of the college’s work with multiple area food pantries over the past year to supply them with stock from across the district while PCC facilities have been closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We monitor our inventories on the campuses weekly and reach out to those organizations that we might possibly partner with,” Atkinson said. “We had reached out to the Blanchet House before, but this was the first time they had room in their freezer to accept a donation.”

PCC’s Food and Vending Services management team routinely donates food to those who need it most, and monitors the quality of PCC’s food inventory to determine what needs to be donated next while the college cafeterias remain closed. 

Despite food insecurity rates in Oregon more than doubling over the past year during the pandemic, Atkinson noted that it has not always been easy to find a home for PCC’s extra food supplies while adhering to Oregon Health Authority Food Safety Rules.

“Due to restaurants being shut down, there have been a lot of food service businesses looking to donate food,” she said. “As a result, we can only donate when partners have room at their facilities so that we can keep people safe.”

Atkinson said PCC has arranged another donation to the Blanchet House once it regains freezer capacity.  

“We never want to see food go to waste,” Atkinson said. “It represents hard work on the part of many individuals, especially when there are people in need. To be able to donate what we cannot use at PCC to our communities has been a blessing during these times.”

About Portland Community College: Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 60,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, eight education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/