At the Salem Convention Center, our mission extends beyond hosting meetings, conferences, and celebrations. We are proud to be part of a community that believes in supporting one another, building in sustainable practices to reduce waste, etc. and one of the most meaningful ways we do that is through our long-standing partnership with the Union Gospel Mission of Salem. Each month, the Salem Convention Center provides approximately 500 meals to the Union Gospel Mission of Salem and Simonka Place (Keizer), their women's shelter. While the numbers are significant, the true impact of this partnership can be found in the stories behind those meals. For nearly nine years, Walter Lofton has served as Food Service Manager at the Union Gospel Mission of Salem. Throughout his tenure, he has witnessed firsthand how partnerships like ours help strengthen the organization's ability to serve Salem's most vulnerable community members. Pictured above: Union Gospel Mission – Salem, Oregon entrance. Walter Lofton, Food Service Manager at UGM Salem. 'When you're working with donated food, menu planning can be challenging,' Walter explained. 'We receive food from many generous partners, but the items we receive from the Salem Convention Center help us fill in the gaps.' The food donated by the Salem Convention Center often allows Walter and his team to create more complete, nutritious meals. It provides ingredients that complement other donations, helping ensure guests receive balanced meals that are both nourishing and enjoyable. 'The donations give us more flexibility and creativity,' Walter shared. 'It allows us to add variety to our menus and provide nutrients that might otherwise be missing. It makes a real difference in the meals we're able to serve.' For the hundreds of individuals who walk through the doors of Union Gospel Mission and Simonka Place each month, that difference matters. A warm meal provides more than nourishment—it offers comfort, dignity, and a reminder that the community cares. As Walter prepares to begin a new chapter in Wisconsin after nearly a decade of service, he reflected on what this partnership has meant to him personally. 'The relationship has meant so much,' he said. 'Not only the support from the Salem Convention Center, but the friendships and connections I've built with the kitchen and banquet team over the years. I'm deeply grateful for everything they've done.' His words serve as a reminder that community impact & sustainability is built through relationships. Behind every donated meal is a network of people working together to care for their neighbors. Pictured above: UGM's Stop for the One Luncheon 2024 in the Willamette Ballroom at the Salem Convention Center. We are honored to partner with the Union Gospel Mission of Salem, and we are grateful to leaders like Walter who dedicate their careers to serving others. As we continue to host events and welcome guests to downtown Salem, we remain committed to finding ways to support our community beyond our walls. It is one of the many practices that are built in, so that event planners know that hosting an event at SCC means more than just networking, learning & dining within our walls. Their event echoes throughout the community surrounding them, long after their event concludes. Because when organizations come together with a shared purpose, the result is more than a meal—it is hope, connection, and a stronger Salem for all. You can learn more about supporting the Union Gospel Mission & Simonka Place by visiting their website - Union Gospel Mission of Salem.
