About the Event
The Lobster Feed & Charity Auction, now in its 39th year, is a major fund-raising event and joint venture of two parties, the Lakewood Center for the Arts and the Lake Oswego Rotary Club.
Each partner provides a co-chair as well as financial and volunteer support to promote and stage the many details of what has become the largest social and fundraising event in Lake Oswego. The net proceeds of this unique fundraiser have grown to become the largest single source of unrestricted funds for both parties. This amazing partnership has benefitted both organizations in providing programs and support to our community, the region and the world.
Now in its 39th year, the auction has raised more than $3.9 million dollars to benefit non-profit organizations, community projects, the arts and humanitarian needs in our community, state, and the world! The auction is highly anticipated and attended by more than 600 people who generously give to help fund and support humanitarian and community causes through Lake Oswego Rotary as well as supporting theatre, arts programs, and youth outreach at Lakewood Center for the Arts.
In addition, a portion of the net proceeds will continue to benefit these and other causes:
Hunger Fighters Food Pantry
Hunger Fighters of , founded by a student at Lakeridge High School has emerged as a prominent nonprofit organization operating a food pantry in the Mountain Park neighborhood The food pantry distributes basic food and hygiene items to families and individuals in Lake Oswego and the surrounding area.
Easterseals Oregon Summer Camp for Kids
Easterseals Oregon recognizes the gifts and potential of their campers. The camp creates an environment that emphasizes the campers abilities and independence as well as the development of their social skills and appreciation and knowledge of the outdoors. For some campers, this is their only summer vacation, as traveling with special needs can involve added challenges and expense. The residential camp is held at the Evans Camp Retreat in early July and the summer day camp is held in the Portland Metro area beginning mid-July.
Family Promise of Tualatin Valley
As a non-profit organization, its mission is to equip vulnerable families and individuals to end the cycle of homelessness through a community-based response. Family Promise of Tualatin Valley was formed as a grassroots effort in October 2016 and opened its doors to serving families experiencing homelessness in March 2019. They accomplish their mission by providing emergency shelter and wraparound services that include extensive case management with the goal of rehousing, family mentoring, and life skills training such as budgeting. They receive direct referrals from families in need of assistance and from our support networks in Washington and Clackamas counties.
2023 Lobster Feed and Charity Auction Special Appeal -
Lakewood Center Youth Outreach Arts Education
Lakewood Center for the Arts, the largest arts provider in Clackamas County, strives through their arts education outreach programs to bring opportunities to the under-served youth in the region, whom, because of geographic, socio-economic, cultural or language barriers have limited access to arts education. Recognizing the importance of creating an inviting, diverse and inclusive environment for participants, as artists, students, and audience, the Center has become a hub for more than 3,500 students annually attending in person classes and performance opportunities. In 2022-23 Lakewood through its visual arts outreach program provided more than 22, 000 emerging bilingual students in grades 2-5 throughout the state of Oregon art supplies art instruction books and videos. In addition, the Center also provides outreach in person classes in visual and performing arts to partner schools in Clackamas County for students with little or no access to the arts.
Each partner provides a co-chair as well as financial and volunteer support to promote and stage the many details of what has become the largest social and fundraising event in Lake Oswego. The net proceeds of this unique fundraiser have grown to become the largest single source of unrestricted funds for both parties. This amazing partnership has benefitted both organizations in providing programs and support to our community, the region and the world.
LOBSTER FEED BENEFICIARIES 2023
Now in its 39th year, the auction has raised more than $3.9 million dollars to benefit non-profit organizations, community projects, the arts and humanitarian needs in our community, state, and the world! The auction is highly anticipated and attended by more than 600 people who generously give to help fund and support humanitarian and community causes through Lake Oswego Rotary as well as supporting theatre, arts programs, and youth outreach at Lakewood Center for the Arts.
In addition, a portion of the net proceeds will continue to benefit these and other causes:
Hunger Fighters Food Pantry
Hunger Fighters of , founded by a student at Lakeridge High School has emerged as a prominent nonprofit organization operating a food pantry in the Mountain Park neighborhood The food pantry distributes basic food and hygiene items to families and individuals in Lake Oswego and the surrounding area.
Easterseals Oregon Summer Camp for Kids
Easterseals Oregon recognizes the gifts and potential of their campers. The camp creates an environment that emphasizes the campers abilities and independence as well as the development of their social skills and appreciation and knowledge of the outdoors. For some campers, this is their only summer vacation, as traveling with special needs can involve added challenges and expense. The residential camp is held at the Evans Camp Retreat in early July and the summer day camp is held in the Portland Metro area beginning mid-July.
Family Promise of Tualatin Valley
As a non-profit organization, its mission is to equip vulnerable families and individuals to end the cycle of homelessness through a community-based response. Family Promise of Tualatin Valley was formed as a grassroots effort in October 2016 and opened its doors to serving families experiencing homelessness in March 2019. They accomplish their mission by providing emergency shelter and wraparound services that include extensive case management with the goal of rehousing, family mentoring, and life skills training such as budgeting. They receive direct referrals from families in need of assistance and from our support networks in Washington and Clackamas counties.
2023 Lobster Feed and Charity Auction Special Appeal -
Lakewood Center Youth Outreach Arts Education
Lakewood Center for the Arts, the largest arts provider in Clackamas County, strives through their arts education outreach programs to bring opportunities to the under-served youth in the region, whom, because of geographic, socio-economic, cultural or language barriers have limited access to arts education. Recognizing the importance of creating an inviting, diverse and inclusive environment for participants, as artists, students, and audience, the Center has become a hub for more than 3,500 students annually attending in person classes and performance opportunities. In 2022-23 Lakewood through its visual arts outreach program provided more than 22, 000 emerging bilingual students in grades 2-5 throughout the state of Oregon art supplies art instruction books and videos. In addition, the Center also provides outreach in person classes in visual and performing arts to partner schools in Clackamas County for students with little or no access to the arts.