We honored Porto’s Bakery in Glendale today by presenting them with a plaque in appreciation for their long time support and commitment to helping serve those who are experiencing homelessness.

Rev. Andy Bales said “With the cost of food continuing to rise and donations steadily declining Porto’s donations have been an added life-line to the thousands of meals served daily at the Mission. It is an honor to honor Porto’s Bakery for providing bread and other wonderful treats for our guests”.

URM’s Associate Director of Eimago, Elizabeth Kelly said “It was awesome how much was donated to our Winter Shelters, and our guests truly looked forward to the delicious pastries with their early morning coffee”.

 URM’s head Chef Larry Wheeler said “The donations have helped us immensely and are served daily to our guests, there was one week when we were unable to pickup and the guests were all upset asking what had happened to the delicious pastries…the bread donations have helped us as well and helped our budget greatly, we make almost of all the sandwiches with bread donated by Porto’s.”

 Porto’s bakery located at 315 North Brand Boulevard in Glendale California has been faithfully donating between 250-400 boxes of pastries on a monthly basis since 2008, and just this year the Glendale store has graciously stepped up. Monthly donations have more than doubled, to over 800 boxes of pastries a month.

 A background history from their website tells the story of this families humble beginnings http://www.portosbakery.com/content/porto%E2%80%99s-bakery-cafe

Union Rescue Mission’s Vice President of Marketing and Development, Jacqui Groseth, has been nominated for L.A. Business Journal’s “Women Making A Difference” Award.

At the end of April 2010 with only two months left in the fiscal year, the gap between URM’s budget and income was over 5 million dollars. After exploring every conceivable option to survive and keep URM’s core programs and services intact, the mission’s board and senior leadership made a painful decision to close Hope Gardens Family Center, an oasis for single moms with children and senior ladies experiencing homelessness, unless 2.8 million dollars could be raised by June 30, 2010.

Jacqui played a vital role in developing and executing the “Save Hope Gardens Campaign” which launched on May 24th. Utilizing 7 different core communication channels/categories with multiple electronic and social media sub-channels the campaign generated $3.8 million dollars in donations and did in fact save Hope Gardens. “It was nothing short of a miracle” says Liz Mooradian, historian and special assistant to URM’s CEO.

Jacqui has been helping rescue missions and other non-profit organizations gain brand awareness and raise money for over 15 years. In August of 2008 she joined the staff of Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles as the Associate Development Director- a move that brought her full circle on a journey she began 32 years ago as a high school student volunteering her time each month to help people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row right here in the City of Angels. In January of 2011, Jacqui was promoted to the position of Vice President of Marketing and Development. She provides leadership for Union Rescue Mission’s Volunteer, Gift-in-Kind, Communications, Gift Processing, Donor Relations and Direct Marketing departments. Her primary responsibility is to ensure that the Mission’s fundraising and communication messaging adheres to URM’s brand guide, mission statement and established marketing and fundraising goals.

Because of Jacqui’s extensive marketing and communication skills she is regularly asked to share her expertise via speaking engagements and training seminars. Her career accomplishments include several industry awards including Echo, Telly and the USPS Gold Mailbox Award. Earlier this year she earned the “Paul Harris Fellow” award for her support of Rotary International. Jacqui has served in a variety of volunteer leadership roles including: San Marino Library Foundation Committee Member, Young Life Foothills Committee Member and San Gabriel Christian School Board Moderator. She and husband Jeff are active in their community and are the proud parents of daughter, Samantha who recently graduated Magna Cum Lade from Northeastern University.

The Los Angeles Business Journal said it is “Proud to honor women of outstanding achievement in our business community”.  The 19^th Annual Award Luncheon and Ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Century City Plaza and will recognize L.A.’s most successful women business leaders.