Mutual Aid
The Ruth Collective:
A Story of Enough
At Storydwelling, we believe that “faith and fierce love” aren’t just feelings—they are the way we organize our lives together. The Ruth Collective is our community’s emerging mutual aid effort, rooted in the ancient biblical practice of gleaning. In the Book of Ruth, survival didn’t come from a one-time handout; it came from a community that took the “Law of the Edge” seriously. In the Hebrew tradition, farmers were commanded by God to leave the edges of their fields unharvested: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field… Leave them for the neighbor and the stranger” (Leviticus 23:22).
By leaving the edges, the community ensured that those experiencing hardship—like the widow Naomi and the immigrant Ruth—could gather what they needed with dignity and agency.
Re-Storying Our Abundance
The Ruth Collective is our invitation to “re-story” the items in our lives. We often find ourselves with “extra” gathering dust in our pantries, closets, garages, and attics. Instead of letting these resources sit idle, we bring them into a web of relationship where they can be redistributed to those doing the work of justice and care in our region.
We partner with local organizations to ensure your “gleanings” are distributed where needed:
- Family Kitchen
- Central Oregon Villages
- ReVillage
- Latino Community Association
- Bend Youth Collective
How to give and receive
- Sunday Gatherings: You will find a dedicated Ruth Collective donation station at our weekly gathering.
- Weekday Drop-offs: A donation bin is located in Pastor Erika’s office at First Presbyterian for non-Sunday contributions.
- Accessibility: For those in our community with mobility issues or who are unable to drive, we want to make sure you can still participate. Please reach out to Solimar or Ashley to coordinate a porch pick-up.
Let’s fill the baskets together, making sure there is no lack at the edges of our community.
Donations Requested
*Tax receipts are available for these donations*
FOOD + WATER
- shelf stable pantry items
- frozen foods (ideally protein)
- reusable water bottles, jugs of water
- Bulk food items
- Family Kitchen’s most needed list
ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES
- Camping gear (tents, tarps, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking and propane supplies) and weather wear (raincoats, ponchos, hand warmers, etc.)
- Many folks live outside and/or spend their time on foot getting to work, they need shelter and coverage from the elements, hot and cold
- Toiletries (shampoo, soap, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hairbrushes, combs)
- Bring in those minis from your travels that you aren’t using! Always say yes to the dentist’s extra toothbrushes, floss, etc.
- Shoes, boots and socks
- Clothing (including kids clothes); no holes, good condition, clean and washed; new underwear please
PETS, TOYS, LINENS
- pet supplies (food, leashes, bowls, beds, toys, etc.)
- Bruno doesn’t like his food anymore? Donate it! Even if it’s open!
- Toys, books, board games, puzzles (good condition, all pieces included, operational)
- Clean bed linens, towels, pillows
Bottle Drop Bags for Family Kitchen
If you or your family consumes a lot of beverages in cans and bottles, please remember you can collect these in pre-marked bags and donate them at the Bottle Drop to support Family Kitchen. These blue bags will be available at Storydwelling on Sundays and in Erika’s office. Please reach out to Solimar or Ashley to coordinate a pick-up or bring the bag(s) on Sundays if you’d like us to donate on your behalf.
This video will show you how to navigate the Bottle Drop!
Other Ideas for Donations
- Gas gift cards
- Grocery gift cards
- School supplies
- Craft and hobby supplies
If you would like to help us with these and more mutual aid initiatives at Storydwelling, please let Ashley and/or Solimar know!
Ashley Dowden | 206.817.4165 | aedowden@gmail.com
Solimar Fiske | 213.925.9061 | solimarfiske@hotmail.com