About Us

Portland Rescue Mission was founded because John Van Diest saw the brokenness in his community and gave his lunch to the hungry. From that moment and over the last 70 years, we have intentionally built programs to help men, women, and children struggling with homelessness and despair to find their way home.

We do that through meals, shelter, compassionate care, long-term recovery, vocational training, and encircling people with strong community support.

We have multiple locations across Portland that work to serve and restore individuals to new life one of which is Drive Away Hunger, a car donation and sales nonprofit dedicated to changing lives. Each Portland Rescue Mission program meets people where they are at and walk with them at a pace they can sustain.
About 80% of all Restoration program participants—men and women—remain free from addictions and in housing up to four years after graduation.

Drive Away Hunger is part of Portland Rescue Mission, a 501(c)(3) charity in Portland, Oregon. Your vehicle donation is fully tax-deductible and proceeds go to Portland Rescue Mission serving hurting neighbors in our community with meals, shelter, and compassionate care.