QuickTake:

QuickTake: Eugene police officers grilled hot dogs and served cold drinks at their third annual summer barbecue at St. Vincent de Paul’s Lindholm Social Service Center

Barbecue, watermelon, ice cream and other summertime staples were on the menu Wednesday, July 16, as Eugene police officers hosted their annual summer lunch for St. Vincent de Paul staff and local people who are unhoused.

About 15 officers worked the event, grilling hot dogs and serving cold drinks for the attendees. A few officers even portioned out dog food for the furry friends in attendance. The event was set up with shaded tents, music and picnic tables, creating a festive feeling for the roughly 50 people attending.

The event began in 2022 and has continued to grow.

Eugene Police Officer David Clark, one of the original organizers, was inspired by the work of St. Vincent de Paul and its staff and volunteers. The organization has long helped the  Lane County unhoused community in numerous ways.

“I’m so impressed with all the different services that they do, that I looked for a way that we could kind of have Eugene police come in,” Clark said. “I thought, the rest of us get to enjoy July Fourth and holiday parties around summer and stuff like that. It’d be nice to do something in the summertime for the folks here.” 

Clark said the event began in the form of the annual Holiday Dinner, when Eugene police served food to local unhoused residents during the holiday season. Since then, the event has grown. The police partner with local restaurants and businesses to provide the food, and the annual summertime lunch event was added to the schedule.

Many attendees came across the lunch at St. Vincent de Paul’s Lindholm Service Center at Highway 99 and Elmira Road.

“I come here once a week to check mail and saw a sign hanging on the door that said there was a barbecue,” Larry Thomas, one of the event attendees, said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known.”

St. Vincent de Paul operates multiple facilities throughout Lane County, serving adults experiencing homelessness by providing basic necessities such as food, day shelter and long-term housing services.