What Blanchet House and Farm does

Blanchet House and Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1952 in Portland, Oregon, that delivers food, clothing, shelter, and recovery services to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and addiction. Its service portfolio spans five core programs: the Founders Café free hot-meal program (297,099 meals served in 2022 across breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday–Saturday), the downtown Blanchet House transitional residential program for up to 50 men over an 8-month cycle, the rural Blanchet Farm 62-acre recovery program for up to 24 men incorporating beekeeping, woodworking, and permaculture, the Bethanie's Room overnight women's shelter (264 women served in first 100 days), and a clothing/hygiene distribution program. Ancillary outputs include the "Toby Finds a Home" children's book, small-batch honey, and woodshop items sold through ShopBlanchet.com.

The organization's physical infrastructure is a notable asset. The 2012 LEED Platinum certified downtown building (designed by SERA Architects) includes a green roof capable of harvesting ~63,000 gallons of rainwater annually, saving 150,000+ gallons of fresh water per year. Operations are built around a zero-food-waste model: surplus food is rescued from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and other donors (564,432 lbs in 2022), and food scraps are composted or fed to farm animals (6+ tons diverted from landfill in 2020). A 14,000-square-foot residential facility opened at Blanchet Farm in September 2024, doubling/replacing prior farm housing capacity and funded in part by a $1.25M lead gift from the Heatherington Foundation.

Blanchet House is funded entirely through donations and grants — no commercial revenue model exists. Revenue streams include individual donations (including a "Hospitality Heroes" recurring giving program), planned/legacy giving, workplace/corporate giving, foundation grants, and small social-enterprise product sales (honey, woodshop goods, children's book). All services are delivered free of charge at the point of consumption, with intake via walk-in, case-manager screening, and partner referrals. GTM is community-led, anchored by 1,700+ volunteers and a broad partner network. Leadership transitioned to Steve Cook as Executive Director effective May 12, 2026, succeeding Scott Kerman.

Name

Blanchet House and Farm

Legal name

Blanchet House of Hospitality

Website

https://blanchethouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blanchet House and Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1952 in Portland, Oregon that provides free meals, clothing, transitional housing, addiction recovery, and women's overnight shelter to people experiencing homelessness and poverty across the Portland metro and Yamhill County, funded entirely by donations, grants, and small social-enterprise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Sheep and Goat Farming (1124)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Foodservice & Hospitality Waste Services (Non-hazardous, Back-of-house) (EUAIAGAE)

Keywords

• Homeless shelter services
• Food assistance programs
• Addiction recovery housing
• Transitional housing services
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters. Monthly donor program called Hospitality Heroes provides ongoing funding. Donations fund meal and housing programs.
2. Planned Giving: Legacy/planned giving program allowing donors to include Blanchet House in their estate plans.
3. Corporate and Workplace Giving: Employee giving programs and corporate donations supported through workplace giving initiatives.
4. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including Heatherington Foundation, PGE Foundation, ECHO Fund, Joseph E Weston Foundation, HEDCO Foundation, and Portland General Electric's Renewable Development Fund.
5. Social Enterprise - Farm Products: Sale of Blanchet Farm honey and woodshop products through ShopBlanchet.com. Small-batch honey available at local retailers and the online shop.
6. Children's Book Sales: Sale of Toby Finds a Home children's book at $19.95 plus shipping, available through Blanchet House and local bookstores including Green Bean Books, Broadway Books, and Powell's Books.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Blanchet House and Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services organization that provides free hot meals, clothing, transitional housing, and addiction recovery programs for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Portland, Oregon. Its core offerings include the Founders Café meal program, the downtown Blanchet House men's residential program, the rural Blanchet Farm recovery program, Bethanie's Room women's overnight shelter, and a clothing distribution program, all funded by donations and grants. Social enterprise revenue is generated through farm-raised honey, woodshop products, and a published children's book.

Product overview

Blanchet House is a nonprofit social services organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs addressing homelessness, hunger, and addiction recovery. Core services include the Founders Café hot meal program (serving 297,099 meals in 2022), two residential programs (Blanchet House shelter for up to 50 men downtown and Blanchet Farm for up to 24 men in rural addiction recovery), Bethanie's Room women's overnight shelter (served 264 women in first 100 days), and a clothing distribution program. The organization also runs social enterprise programs including a beekeeping/honey operation, woodshop, and gardening program at the farm. Volunteer engagement is facilitated through sack lunch and care kit making programs. A published children's book ('Toby Finds a Home') supports the mission. An online shop sells farm products including honey and woodshop items.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hot Meals / Founders Café Free hot meal program serving breakfast (6:30-7:25 a.m.), lunch (11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m.), and dinner (5-5:55 p.m.) Monday-Saturday at 310 NW Glisan Street, Portland. Open to anyone during meal hours with no questions asked, no eligibility requirements, and no dietary restrictions accommodated. The program served 297,099 meals in 2022.
• Blanchet House Residential Program Downtown Portland residential program offering free transitional housing for up to 50 men for up to 8-9 months. Residents receive a shared room, all meals, toiletries, clothing, laundry, bus passes, computers, and recreation at no cost. The program requires residents to work in kitchen/dining and residential facilities during the first 90 days, with case management toward stability and self-sufficiency.
• Blanchet Farm Residential Recovery Program Men's transitional residential addiction recovery program on a 62-acre rural property at 11750 NE Finn Hill Loop, Carlton, Oregon, one hour outside Portland. A free strict sober program accommodating up to 24 men with beekeeping, woodworking, gardening, animal husbandry, and other therapeutic farm activities. Entry requires a phone interview and willingness to follow sober program requirements.
• Bethanie's Room Women's Shelter Free overnight emergency shelter for women 18+, open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., 365 days a year, at 1015 NW 17th Avenue, Portland. Provides a safe sleeping space, basic necessities, and referrals to longer-term housing and services through partner organizations Rose Haven, PDX Peers, and Portland Street Response. Served 264 unique individuals in first 100 days of operation with an average stay of 8 nights.
• Clothing Distribution Program Free distribution of adult-sized clothing items and sleeping essentials distributed during meal services. Clothing handout days are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30-12:25 during lunch service.
• Sack Lunch Program Community engagement program where volunteers make bagged lunches containing a sandwich, piece of fruit, and wrapped snack for distribution to those in need. Participants sign up for specific dates to prepare the lunches.
• Care Kits Program Volunteer program where community members pack care kits containing essential hygiene items for distribution to people experiencing homelessness. Instructions are provided for assembling these kits at home.
• Blanchet Farm Honey Small-batch honey produced by Blanchet Farm residents as part of the therapeutic beekeeping program. Available for purchase through ShopBlanchet.com and at local retailers including Good Company Cheese, K & M Wines, The Minnow, and Source Farms. Over 170 lbs of honey harvested in one summer season.
• Blanchet Farm Woodshop Products Handcrafted wood items created by residents in the woodshop program at Blanchet Farm, including custom dog portraits burned into wood. Available for purchase online with proceeds supporting the farm program.
• Children's Book - Toby Finds a Home Children's book about homelessness and helping others, co-authored by Marie and Julie Showers, illustrated by Eva Wrzesinski. Published by Blanchet House to build compassion for people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Priced at $19.95 plus shipping, available through Blanchet House and local bookstores including Green Bean Books, Broadway Books, and Powell's Books.

Quantifiable outcome

• 297,099 meals served in 2022
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Oregon Humane SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Co-hosting free pet care clinic providing vaccinations, flea/tick treatment, pet food, and supplies for pets of people experiencing homelessness.
• SERA ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 September 2024Project architects for the new 14,000-square-foot facility at Blanchet Farm. Also designed the LEED Platinum certified Portland building.
• Feed the MassminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization receiving shared surplus food from Blanchet House's food rescue program.
• Meals to UsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization receiving shared surplus food from Blanchet House's food rescue program.
• PDX Free FridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization receiving shared surplus food from Blanchet House's food rescue program.
• Whole FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal grocery store donating surplus food to Blanchet House's food rescue program.
• Trader Joe'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal grocery store donating surplus food to Blanchet House's food rescue program.
• Edible Landscapes of Yamhill CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for establishing a permaculture food forest at Blanchet Farm guided by Earth care, people care, and future care ethics.
• Rose HavenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing support services and referrals for Bethanie's Room women's shelter guests.
• PDX PeersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing peer support services and referrals for Bethanie's Room women's shelter guests.
• Portland Street ResponseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing emergency social worker services and referrals for Bethanie's Room women's shelter guests.
• Easterseals OregoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing navigator partner helping veterans and people facing barriers secure housing through VA SSVF program and rental assistance.
• Veterans Affairs (VA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans services providing housing support and benefits for veteran guests at Blanchet House.
• Transition Projects, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for clothing, showers, laundry, mailboxes, shelter sign-up, and Next Step Program for Women. Located at 650 NW Irving St.
• Portland Rescue MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for clothing referrals for people experiencing homelessness. Located at 111 W Burnside St.
• Salvation Army Female Emergency ShelterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency shelter referral partner for women in need. Located at 30 SW 2nd Ave.
• Stone Soup PDXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree 12-week culinary training program for people facing employment barriers. Helps residents transition to jobs after completing Blanchet House's 90-day kitchen work requirement.
• Schommer & SonscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractors for the new 14,000-square-foot facility at Blanchet Farm.
• Energy Trust of OregonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall Business Lighting program providing energy-efficient lighting measures throughout the Portland building through LEDs.
• BottleDrop GiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner program allowing donors to collect refundable cans and bottles to support Blanchet House services through the blue bag program.
• J.P. Morgan Campbell GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployees volunteered to assemble 26 bed frames at Bethanie's Room women's shelter.
• McMinnville Farmers MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBlanchet Farm sells produce at the farmers market booth on select dates in summer.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Union Gospel Mission: Portland/Vancouver faith-based nonprofit delivering free meals, emergency shelter, and long-term addiction recovery programs for men and women — closely comparable in mission, meal service, and recovery housing model to Blanchet House and Blanchet Farm.
• Transition Projects, Inc. Portland nonprofit operating multiple shelters, day centers, and housing programs for adults experiencing homelessness. Overlaps directly with Blanchet House on shelter, clothing, and housing-referral services and is an active referral partner.
• Central City Concern: Portland-based nonprofit integrating housing, health care, and employment services for people experiencing homelessness and addiction. Closest large-scale peer combining transitional/recovery housing with wraparound services in the same market.
• Portland Rescue Mission: Portland-based nonprofit providing meals, shelter, and addiction-recovery residential programs for people experiencing homelessness — a direct peer in the same geography, serving similar populations with a comparable meal + transitional-housing model. Already a partner referral source for Blanchet House.
• Rose Haven: Portland day shelter and resource center serving women, children, and gender-nonconforming individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. Direct peer in women's-services space and an active Blanchet House partner for Bethanie's Room referrals.
• Our House of Portland: Portland nonprofit providing residential and workforce-development services for people impacted by homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and poverty. Comparable residential-program-plus-skills-training model to Blanchet House's kitchen work requirement and farm vocational program.

Broad incumbents

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul Portland: Portland affiliate of a national Catholic nonprofit providing food, clothing, housing, and emergency assistance — comparable core services (meals, clothing, housing navigation) with a much larger geographic and program footprint.
• Salvation Army Portland (Cascade Division): National faith-based nonprofit with a large Portland footprint providing emergency shelter, meals, and addiction recovery. Comparable services at greater scale and broader program portfolio; operates the Female Emergency Shelter that is a Blanchet House referral partner.
• Catholic Charities Oregon: Oregon-wide Catholic social-services nonprofit operating food, housing, and refugee services. Comparable housing-, food-, and case-management services across a broader Oregon footprint, aligned with Blanchet House's Catholic Worker heritage.

Emerging players

• St. Francis Dining Hall (Catholic Charities, SF model): Reference peer illustrating the Catholic-affiliated urban meal-and-shelter model (Sargent Shriver–style volunteer-staffed dining hall) that is structurally similar to Founders Cafe at Blanchet House — relevant operational benchmark even if geographically distant.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blanchethouse
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKsHRAeZjKYArAisnCJ5fGw
• Facebookfacebook.com/BlanchetHouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/blanchethouse/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blanchet-house-of-hospitality

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Blanchet House and Farm