Hello, food-loving friends!

If you’ve ever planned or hosted a catered event, you know one of the first questions is: how much food should we order? You don’t want anyone left hungry, but you also don’t want to end up with enough leftovers for another whole meal.

Even the best plans can get thrown off — maybe all the guests who requested vegan meals call in sick, or a flight cancellation cuts your headcount in half. These things happen. That’s why Spork Bytes not only delivers great meals, but also helps you handle what comes next.

Our “No Food Left Behind” Commitment

At Spork Bytes, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We embrace a “No Food Left Behind” approach so that every meal we deliver helps nourish both people and the planet.

Smarter Ordering, Less Waste

Preventing food waste starts long before the first tray arrives. Unlike many traditional caterers that simply fill out menus by default, our dedicated account managers personally build each order.

Because we’re hands-on, we can:

• Recommend portion sizes that match your headcount.
• Adjust the order if your numbers change — whether a few extra people are added or a last-minute cancellation trims your guest list.
• Suggest menu items that hold up better on a buffet line, so more food stays fresh and appealing for longer.

This human-guided approach usually means more accurate orders and less leftover food, which is better for your budget and for the environment.

Responsible Post-Event Handling

Next, our team offers post-event clean-up services to ensure all packaging and leftover food is properly sorted for composting, recycling, or donation. We train our staff in responsible disposal practices and also share resources with clients so they can feel confident about what happens to excess meals.

We believe in supporting local nonprofits in ways that actually help them — not burden them. Each of our partners has unique guidelines, and we make sure the food we donate is truly useful.

Local Partners in Reducing Food Waste

Here’s a quick guide to some of the Portland-area organizations that help ensure good food feeds people, not landfills.

Blanchet House

Founded in 1952, Blanchet House provides thousands of meals each week along with housing, rehabilitation services, and wellness support for Portland’s unhoused neighbors.

• Will accept: Full catering pans, unopened items, “ready-to-eat” foods, and home-baked goods like cookies.
• Cannot accept: Leftover catering ingredients, food served from pans, or canned food drives without prior arrangement.
• Donation hours: Daily, 1:00 – 3:00 PM (call ahead if needed)
• Location: 310 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209
• Contact: info@blanchethouse.org | (503) 241-4340
• Website

CityTeam Portland

For over 50 years, CityTeam has offered transformative programs, food boxes, and shelter for both men and women in the Portland community.

• Will accept: Items on their “Wish List”, consolidated catering meals that are “ready-to-eat,” and staples like bread, tortillas, and salsas.
• Cannot accept: Small-quantity items or individual boxed meals.
• Donation hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Location: 526 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214
• Contact: info@cityteam.org | (503) 231-9334
• Website

Urban Gleaners

Urban Gleaners rescues surplus fresh food and redistributes it to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.

• Will accept: Catering-sized leftover pans, sauces, dressings, toppings, ingredients, unopened dry goods (up to one year past expiration), unopened frozen foods, and fresh food still safe to eat.
• Cannot accept: Food prepared in home kitchens.
• Donation hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: 15 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
• Contact: info@urbangleaners.org | (503) 226-8061
• Website

Oregon Food Bank

The Oregon Food Bank works to end hunger by addressing both immediate needs and systemic barriers.

• Will accept: Extra inventory, discontinued products, unused ingredients, retail-ready products near their “best-by” date, and even mislabeled shipments that can be safely redistributed.
• Cannot accept: Homemade food, non-USDA-certified meat, expired or opened foods, damaged packaging, or loose glass containers.
• Donation hours: By appointment — contact them first
• Location: 7900 NE 33rd Drive, Portland, OR 97211
• Contact: fooddonation@oregonfoodbank.org | (503) 419-4166
• Website

Hand Up Project

Hand Up Project supports the unhoused and vulnerable by providing food and fostering a welcoming community.

• Will accept: Shelf-stable, high-protein foods (like canned tuna, beans, or nut butters), whole grains, canned fruits and vegetables, low-sodium soups, oatmeal, cereals, and basic spices.
• Important: Check expiration dates and consider dietary needs such as low-sodium or allergy-friendly items.
• Cannot accept: Refrigerated, frozen, or expired foods.
• Donation hours: Monday & Tuesday, 11:15 AM – 3:00 PM; Wednesday–Friday by appointment
• Location: 4115 N Mississippi Ave, Suite 5, Portland, OR 97217
• Contact: handupproject@handupproject.org | (503) 451-0715
• Website

William Temple House

William Temple House offers food, clothing, counseling, and emergency support to families in crisis.

• Will accept: Unopened, unexpired, non-perishable food; may accept fresh food with prior approval.
• Cannot accept: Expired or damaged goods, food with open packaging, or most fresh items without advance notice.
• Donation hours: At their Thrift Store (2230 NW Glisan St) during store hours, or at their Hoyt St office (2023 NW Hoyt St) during pantry hours/by appointment. No Monday drop-offs.
• Location: 2023 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97209
• Contact: kyran@williamtemple.org | (503) 226-3021
• Website

Nourishing Our Community, Protecting Our Planet

By planning portions thoughtfully, providing post-event clean-up services, and partnering with these outstanding local nonprofits, Spork Bytes makes sure leftover meals and supplies are put to good use — not wasted.

Our mission is simple: to create events that bring people together, support our neighbors, and care for the environment. A truly successful meal is one that leaves behind only full bellies and happy memories.

• Phone - (503) 821-7709
• Email - hellopdx@sporkbytes.com
• Office - 777 NE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
• Google My Business - https://maps.app.goo.gl/JEZJbAY4dLBoXFwk8