Bend church mailroom offers 'lifeline' to homeless

Bend United Methodist Church's volunteer-run mail program offers a crucial service for those who lack a fixed address

Cindy Pierce distributes mail to recipients waiting outside at Bend United Methodist Church. The free service offers approximately 200 people an opportunity to have somewhere for their mail to be delivered. Photo by Joe Kline.

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By DAVID DUDLEY

FORJournalism Lab

"You can give homeless people food and things," said Cindy Pierce. "That helps. But if you give them an address, and a place where they can pick up their mail, they can help themselves. That's what we're trying to do."

Cindy Pierce looks through a bin for a recipient’s mail during pickup hours at Bend United Methodist Church. Volunteers sort and distribute all incoming mail. Photo by Joe Kline.

A volunteer, Pierce has spearheaded Bend United Methodist Church's mail program since the early days of the COVID pandemic. During the current holiday season, Pierce and her partner for the day, Sharon Heide, arrived at the church, situated at 680 NW Bond St., just before 12:30 pm.

It was the Monday before Christmas. Pierce and Heide sorted the day's mail as several people had lined up outside the door to the church's basement. Though it was 44 degrees and sunny, the people outside bundled themselves against wind chilly enough to redden their exposed skin.

"During the pandemic, we served about 300 people in total," Pierce said. "Now, it's around 200. We get about 20 people each day."

Some of those waiting in line hoped for holiday letters and presents from loved ones. Others were eager to receive official correspondence from the Social Security Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles, and various assistance programs. The program also enables participants to vote. They may list the church's address when applying for jobs. And, participating in the program helps to stave off loneliness, a key driver of myriad health conditions.

"Really, it's a lifeline," said Pierce.

Cindy Pierce sets out a sign at the start of mail pickup hours at Bend United Methodist Church. The service is currently available Monday through Friday from 1-3pm. Photo by Joe Kline.

It's how we stay in touch

Chris Grummons stood at the front of the line, subtly bouncing to keep himself warm. He and his friend, Andrew, who formerly lived in the China Hat woods, had traveled from Dirt World, the large encampment north of Bend. He's used the program for four years.

"It's how I stay in touch with my sister," he said. "It's how I got my ID. It's how I apply for assistance. You can't get assistance here without a local mailing address."

Pierce handed Grummons a single white envelope. Grummons's smile faded — it was official correspondence, or junk. Grummons's smile returned as he wished Pierce a Merry Christmas.

Deanna Benoit arrived after the line had dispersed. She knocked on the door. Pierce poked her head out. Benoit spelled her name, then Pierce disappeared into the mailroom.

Deanna Benoit stands outside after picking up her mail at Bend United Methodist Church. Benoit said she had been living in the woods near Sisters and is on disability. Photo by Joe Kline.

Benoit said she traveled from Sisters, where she lived in the woods. She's received a number of important pieces of mail over the years, but none more important than a red and yellow quilt from her grandmother for Christmas three years ago.

"She made it by hand," Benoit explained. "My grandma's dead now."

Benoit said she can't afford a P.O. Box at local USPS offices. Prices are currently $5 to $25 monthly per box, and set to rise in 2026. Bend Church's only requirement is a one-page application, to be completed on site.

Benoit has received all of her correspondence from the Social Security Administration at the church's address.

"I'm disabled, so I depend on that," she said. "I don't know what I'd do without this program."

Fallen through the cracks

After delivering Benoit's mail, Pierce returned to the mailroom, where she sat next to Heide. Pierce has been a member of the church for 40 years.

"But the church itself has been in Bend for more than 100 years," she said. "Members have always helped impoverished people in one way or another."

She was referring to the array of services the church offers, including the Lisa Radford Compassionate Care Fund. Named after a member of the church who died from cancer 10 years ago, this program offers financial help on Wednesday of each week to eligible people who apply in person.

The church was also the driving force behind Central Oregon Villages (COV). Today, COV operates 32 units of emergency outdoor shelter and safe parking in Bend, which includes one safe parking site on the church’s parking lot.

The mail program was initially an extension of the Back Door Café, launched in 2010. Bend United Methodist Church's lead pastor Rev. Jen Stuart, said it started with a pair of volunteers who cooked breakfast for people living on the streets of downtown Bend.

Within a few years, the program expanded to offer clothes, showers, haircuts, pet care and supplies, groceries and hygiene items to those who attended the breakfast on Wednesday mornings. Church members gave those with no fixed address the option of having their mail sent to the church.

Sharon Heide arranges letters alphabetically while sorting mail for the mail service at Bend United Methodist Church. Heide said she’s volunteered for about two years/ “It’s so rewarding to know I’m helping somebody,” she said. Photo by Joe Kline.

Volunteers expanded again to meet growing demand. It's now open Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Pierce said she's seen all kinds of things delivered to the basement, including care packages, guitars and auto parts.

"We were supposed to receive a truck engine one year," said Pierce. "We got a motorcycle tire. In many cases, this is the only way to reach these people."

Heide said most of the people they serve are over 55.

"They're senior citizens," Heide said. "Many are disabled, living on fixed incomes, and they've fallen through the cracks."

The service helps build community connections for those who use it, which leads to surprising health benefits. Studies show that loneliness among homeless people exacerbates several health conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, depression and premature mortality.

Those who pick up their mail regularly are more connected to family and friends who often live far away. They also develop relationships with the volunteers who work in the mailroom. The benefits cut both ways. Heide and Pierce, who are both retired, said the daily interaction with people, and the occasional success stories, make the work rewarding.

"They've got four months to pick up their mail," Pierce said. "When they stop coming to get their mail, it usually means they've moved on, moved into a home somewhere."

"Other times," said Heide, "they're no longer with us. It's a daily reminder of how blessed we are to have food, clothing and shelter."

Special delivery

A gentle knock on the door brought Pierce to her feet. A smiling face filled the square window's frame.

"Merry Christmas!" said the man, as Pierce opened the door.

"Merry Christmas!" Pierce said. "What's your name?"

"Mike Brock," said the man. "B-R-O-C-K."

Brock had ordered several gifts for his wife, who was recovering from cancer treatment. He's been using the program for a year, and it's made a deep impact.

Cindy Pierce hands out packages to Mike Brock during pickup hours at Bend United Methodist Church. Brock said he was picking up some presents for his wife. Photo by Joe Kline.

"My wife and I got Social Security benefits with this address," he said. "I got my ID. Without that ID, I couldn't even get into the Social Security Administration building."

Brock said he's also trying to right his life after his identity was stolen and fraudulently used in Oklahoma.

"My license was suspended because of that," he said. "I've never even set foot in Oklahoma! I'm still trying to sort that out."

Brock beamed when Pierce returned with a few boxes. He loaded them into a makeshift trailer connected to the bicycle he pedals from Dirt World to the Bend church at least twice a week to pick up his mail.

He declined to say what was in the boxes—but he couldn't hide his excitement about their contents.

"This is a special delivery," he said. "I can't wait to see my wife's face when she opens these."

Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions (realstoriesrealsolutions.org) is a journalism lab funded by Central Oregon Health Council under FORJournalism (forjournalism.org), an Oregon nonprofit dedicated to supporting journalism statewide. Sign up for weekly newsletters to receive updates.