Portland, OR - Union Gospel Mission served 113,891 meals in 2005, this represents an increase of 8% over meals served in 2004. Union Gospel Mission serves sack lunches every weekday and provides a hot dinner and chapel service every weeknight, as well as distributing clothing on a daily basis. Union Gospel Mission also provides special meals at Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and a barbeque meal at “Operation Overcoat” a early fall street fair event where clothing is distributed.

In addition to meal services and clothing for the homeless and needy, Union Gospel Mission is the home of LifeChange, an innovative, long-term Christian addiction recovery community, where men and women live at Union Gospel Mission as they go through recovery. LifeChange residents are also responsible for running the Mission’s thrift store in Tigard and for operation of homeless services at the Mission.

Union Gospel Mission is also undergoing the largest expansion in the Mission’s 78-year history. Construction of the Union Gospel Mission’s new building, the LifeChange Center at the corner of NW Third Ave. and Burnside will take place during 2006. In 2005 Union Gospel Mission wrapped up a three year nearly $7 million dollar fundraising effort for the building.

About Union Gospel Mission: Union Gospel Mission has been “feeding the hungry and restoring the addict” since 1927. Union Gospel Mission provides meals for the homeless and needy and operates LifeChange, a long-term addiction recovery community. In LifeChange, residents live and work at Union Gospel Mission for four years and learn to overcome addiction and build new lives. For more information about Union Gospel Mission and LifeChange contact 503-274-4483, or visit online at www.ugmportland.org