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Together At The Center
It’s Thanksgiving. As we reflect during this season, I’m reminded of the blessings we share and the opportunities that abound to bless others. One of the greatest examples of generosity comes from the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to “proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). Even more remarkable is that He Himself lived a life of profound poverty. The King of Kings chose to wrap Himself in humility and simplicity.
Author and teacher Tim Keller describes it this way: Jesus was born in a feed trough. He lived among the poor and the marginalized, who were drawn to him even as the respectable were repulsed by him. We see the kind of life he led when he said, 'Foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head' (Luke 9:58). At the end of his life, he rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, spent his last evening in a borrowed room, and when he died, he was laid in a borrowed tomb.
Why would Jesus choose such a life? The scriptures remind us that God takes up the cause of the poor (Proverbs 14:31; 19:7). Jesus went even further, showing us that God takes our treatment of those in need personally. In Matthew 25:35-36, He says: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
These words remind me that our response to those in need matters to God. As we celebrate Thanksgiving and anticipate Christmas, may we be moved by the compassion of Christ for the “least of these.” At The Canby Center we are offering food, welcoming strangers, and listening for how we can help. This season, I invite you to join us in making a difference. Volunteer your time, share a meal with someone in need, or make a financial gift. Your generosity has a profound impact.
The Canby Center is a great place to give back and we’d love to have you join us here! If you can’t make it to the Center to volunteer, please consider making a special year-end gift to The Canby Center. Online, Checks, Cash, IRA Distributions, or gifts of stock all help more than you might imagine.
We’re In This Together
This Thanksgiving, we’re overflowing with gratitude for Cutsforth’s Market and every person who participated in the successful turkey drive! Thanks to our incredible community, businesses, and donors, we reached our ambitious goal of collecting 220 turkeys to share with families through our Harvest Share food program.
Cutsforth’s Market made it simple — customers could purchase a turkey for $30 at the register, and the store held them for us to pick up and distribute. One recipient shared, “Thank you. It’s great to have a turkey this year. Last year we could only afford a small rotisserie chicken. My son is going to be really happy.”
Together This Christmas
Unwrap the joy of giving! Now through December 10th, we’re collecting small, useful “stocking stuffer” gifts and toys, books, or holiday treats. Help make this Christmas brighter in our community by dropping off your donation or giving online:
Shop our Amazon storefront: https://a.co/ivqt0s3
Donate online and we’ll take care of the rest; select “Holiday Programs” from the drop down at www.thecanbycenter.org/donate
These donations will help bless families with a festive Christmas event filled with crafts, fun activities, and a special visit from Santa himself!
You can join in this season of giving with a donation today; select “Holiday Programs” in the designation drop-down. Thank you!
Partner Spotlight: Embold Credit Union
Each month, The Canby Center hosts Embold Credit Union for an evening finance class. Classes alternate between English one month and Spanish the next, with dinner provided so the whole family can participate. Topics include Budgeting, Debt Pay-Off, Savings Plans, Understanding Credit, and more!
“People helping people; that’s what we’re about,” says Jacklyn Olive, Embold’s Community Relations Specialist. Jacklyn recalls her grandmother teaching her about money, debt, and credit, topics that can be daunting for many. “What do you do without family?” she asks, noting that for many in our community, The Canby Center and partners like Embold serve as key supports to help people take steps out of poverty.
Financial challenges, whether caused by medical issues, job loss, or divorce, can take an emotional toll. With predatory lenders and scams on the rise, people need financial education they can trust. Embold is making good on their mission to improve lives by connecting in educational spaces that are free of judgment, offering “the right tools to inspire a change in financial habits.” According to Jacklyn, “it’s like the aphorism ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’” When we strengthen one person, one family, or one neighborhood, the whole community has reason to hope.
With 2025 just around the corner, Embold is looking forward to continued partnership and building a stronger, more financially stable community. Thank you, Embold, for playing a vital role in helping families thrive!
Building For Tomorrow
This Christmas, give the gift of a lasting legacy with the purchase of a brick. The recipient gets a gift-wrapped present with your note and instructions for their personalized inscription. The brick will be installed near the entryway of the new building.
Brick purchases are doubled by a generous matching gift and will support vital community programs for years to come!
Despite several weeks of rainy weather, the construction crew is making progress on our building expansion. This updated time-lapse shows our progress in action!
In Step With Staff
We’re celebrating the addition of a staff member as our Elementary Programs Coordinator. Michelle (Mimi) Jeandheur is a strong believer in providing children with every opportunity to find support. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oregon State University with a minor in New Media Communications. Mimi's experience managing volunteer programs has honed her organizational skills and produced a passion for facilitating a welcoming and safe environment for participants. She enjoys attending concerts, puzzling, fiber arts, and serving in her church. Welcome, Mimi!
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