About Us
Visible Helpers is founded on the belief that compassion and loving-kindness are the most powerful motivators of social change. Equity, tolerance, and justice emerge when we feel another’s suffering, and, with it, the desire to ease that suffering and bring happiness. Our organization was founded in 2020 by Samuel Collins, and is an Oregon nonprofit based in Eugene.
Our Mission
Visible Helpers engages the community through both short-term and long-term efforts. Our immediate focus is the Heart Pantry Project: Installing, stocking and maintaining mini-pantries that primarily serve the unsheltered of Eugene. They provide not only food, but other essentials, such as PPE (masks, soap and sanitizer), feminine hygiene products, and toothpaste. With the coming of winter, we have added hats and gloves, handwarmers, space blankets, and other items to battle the cold.
Learn More about the Heart Pantry Project
The Heart Pantries are supported by generous donors from the community who place food and non-food items. These are not only essential to helping our unsheltered residents, they embody the true meaning of visible helping and growing a sense of efficacy and compassion in the community.
We believe that seeing others do this work, and the benefits it brings, can bring positive change in many ways. For example, these acts can give others ideas about how they can contribute to the community, allow ourselves and others to better understand the lives of others, and foster a more empathetic world-view.
We invite you to learn more about visible helping.
Exploration and Education
In addition to seeking out ways to provide immediate assistance in our community, we are devoted to exploring how empathy, compassion, and the desire to help ourselves and one another.
Pantry Locations in Eugene:
Kiva Grocery Store, 125 W. 11th Ave.
Little Y Market, 603 W. 19th Ave.
Plaza Latina Supermarket and Taqueria, 1333 W. 7th Ave.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1062 Charnelton St.
White Bird Crisis Center, 341 E. 12th St.
