From the very beginning, God designed us for connection. Scripture reminds us that we are “members of one another” (Romans 12:5) and that in Christ, no one is meant to walk alone. Belonging is more than simply having a place to show up – it’s knowing you are welcomed, valued, seen, and invited to be part of something bigger than yourself. That’s the kind of community we want To:gether Canby to be: a place where people can come as they are, find connection, and know they have a place here.
Jesus showed us what this kind of belonging looks like. Throughout His life, He made room for people others overlooked. Jesus regularly welcomed children, shared meals with outsiders, listened to the hurting, and drew near to those who felt pushed to the margins. He didn’t simply tell people they mattered; He welcomed them to Himself and treated them with dignity and compassion. As we care for our neighbors, we hope to follow His example by creating a community where people feel seen, supported, and genuinely at home. Because sometimes, one of the most meaningful things we can offer someone is the simple assurance: there’s a place for you here.
To: Celebrate
Quest is back! Our weekly program for middle schoolers is all about creating a fun, welcoming space where students can build friendships, grow in character, and have a place where they undoubtedly belong. We just kicked off a new school year, and one new 8th grader who was a little worried about coming had a strong first experience. His verdict? “It was great!” Through games, snacks, and a dedicated mentor team, fear turned to fun, and he is now looking forward to the coming weeks. That’s exactly what Quest is about; a place where students can show up, be themselves, make friends, and enjoy their time together.
We also want to give a huge shout out to the Roberts Family Foundation! Their continued support to help grow Quest from a pilot program into a core part of our Youth Programming has been instrumental. For the past two years, they’ve invested in middle schoolers’ character development and family stability, helping make this community even stronger. We are so grateful for their partnership and excited for another year of laughter, connection, and growth at Quest!
To: Connect
To find an organizational partnership that allows both parties to operate within their full gifting can be rare. Thankfully, God has blessed To:gether Canby with phenomenal partnerships and we are so grateful for every single one of them.
Bob’s Red Mill is one such partner making a big difference in our community. In the month of September alone, they donated an incredible 6,300 pounds of food, helping us provide nutritious (and very tasty) options to more than 300 families in our community. This kind of generosity is what makes community care possible – it’s neighbors and local partners coming together to make sure families have good food on the table. Thank you, Bob’s Red Mill, for showing up for our community and helping us connect families with food they can feel good about!
If you work for, or know someone at, a company that regularly has surplus food, overstock, or bulk donations, we’d love to connect with you. One business relationship can help hundreds of local neighbors access healthy food each week. Call (503) 263-1130 to learn how your business can help fill our Market!
To: Serve
There’s always room to serve at To:gether Canby. Whether you have an hour to give, a special skill to share, or simply a desire to show up for your neighbors, there’s a place for you here. Our volunteer opportunities span all kinds of interests and schedules – from serving lunch and helping in clothing, to welcoming guests for laundry, organizing the warehouse, or picking up food donations. Every role, big or small, helps create a community where people feel seen, supported, and cared for.
And the fun doesn’t stop there! Volunteers can also get involved with Backpack Buddies, become a Reading Mentor, serve with Quest, and so much more. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you start, just a willingness to help. We’d love to find a way for you to connect your time and talents with the needs of our community!
To: Give
As we approach the end of the year, we wanted to remind you of a few items that work to your benefit. If you’re required to take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from a traditional IRA or other eligible retirement account, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) may offer a meaningful way to give. A QCD allows you to give directly from your IRA to a qualified nonprofit like To:gether Canby, counting toward your RMD while helping provide meals for families, access to showers and laundry, youth programming, and other support services that help our neighbors feel seen, supported, and connected. The distribution can be made tax-free, so if this applies to you, we invite you to talk with your financial advisor or tax professional about whether a QCD could be a meaningful way to give back to your community.
