Volunteers prepare free burritos for the homeless during the holiday season as part of a public service project by University of Portland Masters of Business Administration students Joaquin Ortiz and Katie Smith.
Burrito Project helps those in need
Over the past two months, a pair of University of Portland Masters of Business Administration students has led a larger group of colleagues on a public service campaign to make and deliver free burritos to the homeless in downtown Portland.
The Portland Burrito Project was founded by UP students Joaquin Ortiz and Katie Smith to help feed those in need during the holiday season.
The idea for the program emerged as part of a course in their university program that encouraged students to practice leadership in their workplaces and community. Although other Burrito Projects exist in cities throughout the country, both Smith and Ortiz said they wanted to bring the idea to Portland.
“Friends come together, make burritos, and pass them out to hungry people in need. No political, religious, or party views of any sort,” said the organizers.
A group of 15-20 volunteers, most of whom are University of Portland students and friends, gathered before both the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays to walk around downtown and disperse more than 100 burritos to homeless individuals within the city.
All food and funds for the project were donated.
