FAQs

General FAQ’s

How do I arrange to take a tour? Are there specific times?

Just call the Eugene Mission’s phone number: 541-344-3251 during office hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to set up a tour. At this time there are no set days or hours for tours. You can also fill out our contact us form and someone will be in touch with you!

What kind of items can I donate?

We gladly accept clothing, food and household items. These donations support current guests as well as men and women who are moving out of the mission and into their own home. We ask that donations be in good, useable condition. We also take new toys and stuffed animals for our children guests. Every bed is covered by a cheery quilt, so we always welcome twin-sized quilts and sheets.

Where do I physically go to donate, and what are the hours?
Just come to the front office at 1542 First Avenue in Eugene (on West Sixth Avenue, a couple of blocks past Gray’s, turn north on Blair Boulevard, continue to First Avenue and turn left to mission). Look for signs to the donations area. We can take a donation 24 hours a day.

How are you funded?

Individual donors, 80 percent;  churches, 8 percent; corporations, 6 percent. The remainder of our funding comes from grants and miscellaneous sources.

We do not accept money from any government sources because public funding typically places limits on religious expression. We never want to compromise our main purpose: to love our guests by sharing with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ’s love.

How many guests do you serve?

On average, we serve anywhere from 450-600 guests per day. For the year, that works out to more than 240,000 meals served and more than 140,000 individual beds occupied.

Whom do you serve?

Primarily people who are homeless, whether temporarily or permanently. Guests come to us for a variety of reasons, including job loss and unemployment, mental illness, physical difficulties, domestic violence, prison release, and addiction to drugs and alcohol. Whatever the reason, we welcome our guests with open arms, eager to provide practical and loving services, hope, and a fresh start. We have three different centers:

   Men’s Center – Serves men 18 years and older

   Women’s Center – Serves women 18 years and older

   Mothers and Children’s Center – Serves women with children up to 12 years of age.

FAQ’s for Those Needing Our Services

What are the hours of the Mission?
We are open 24/7, 365 days per year. Our normal check-in to stay overnight is by 6:45 p.m..

What can I expect when I arrive at the Eugene Mission? You can expect to be welcomed by a group of people committed to loving you, assisting you and serving you. Once you’re here, we’ll answer any questions, direct you to appropriate people and resources for health and welfare needs, and orient you to mission programs.

Is the mission safe and clean? Yes! The Eugene Mission is well staffed, orderly, and has policies in place designed to ensure the safety of our guests. If someone does not abide by rules set up for the safety of our guests, they must leave the premises.

Mission staff and guests take pride in keeping our facilities clean. The floors literally gleam, bedding is changed frequently, the commercial kitchen is operated by the highest of standards, restrooms and shower areas are sanitized, and the grounds are groomed.

We want our guests to feel that the mission not only meets their immediate needs for food and shelter, but where they also can experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Where do I go to get checked in? Men typically enter the Eugene Mission through the entry at Second Avenue and Chambers Street. LTD buses #40 and #52 stop in front of the Men’s Mission entry. Women should go to the Women’s Center, which is at 1544 West First Avenue (the building just east of the main lodge). Mothers with children enter at the main lodge at 1542 West First Avenue, and then are escorted to the Mothers and Children’s center at 1470 West First Avenue.

How many meals a day are served and what are the hours?

We serve three full course meals a day and various snacks. Hours for meals vary by center. Please call for times for breakfast and lunches. The evening mealtimes are as follows for general guests of the mission:

If you are homeless and hungry, please come eat with us! We would be blessed and honored to serve you.

Can I eat at the mission but not stay overnight?
Yes! Arrive a little before each of the times listed above or call to confirm alternative meal times.

Are there other services I can use without staying at the Mission? Yes! Our dayrooms offer laundry facilities, showers, toiletries, baggage storage, haircuts and snacks. You can also select items of donated clothing as needed.

If I want to stay overnight, is there a fee? The first three nights are free. After that, there is a $2 per night fee. However, vouchers for free overnight stays can be earned quite easily when our guests perform tasks or chores around the mission.

How long may a guest stay at the facility?

That depends on availability of beds and which center you are staying in. The Mothers and Children’s Center has a 90-day stay policy, as we make every effort to encourage these family units to get into housing as soon as possible. Men and women can stay longer based on their individual needs.

Are there restrictions on who can stay at the Eugene Mission?

You must be 18 years or older (In the Mothers and Children’s Center, the children can stay up to the age of 12). Guests must be sober, and have not had prior stay violations or time limitations restricting their access to the mission.

Is clothing available?
Yes, we have an extensive range of donated clothing, shoes and other accessories for men, women and children. We have clothing to prepare you for job interviews and to keep you warm in the winter. Children receive new school clothes, and we also have items for babies and toddlers. There is no charge for any of the clothing.

Is there a safe place to store my baggage?

Yes, one of the key services we offer to you is our secure/locked areas, where you may safely store a backpack, suitcase, or other personal belongings. We do have limits on the amount of baggage we can store, depending on the center.

Do you have any addiction recovery programs?

Yes, we have an ongoing training program that provides guests with the ability to learn a skill and be productive during the day. Most evenings we have transportation to and from Christ-centered Celebrate Recovery meetings that take place in a variety of churches around town. We are thankful that these churches reach out and welcome our mission guests with open arms!

Is the Eugene Mission sponsored by a particular denomination?

The Eugene Mission is a Christian non-denominational nonprofit organization. A variety of different evangelical churches support the mission, participate in presenting the gospel message of Jesus Christ, and adhere to the mission’s statement of faith. Our guests come from all different religious backgrounds or perhaps no religious background at all. Each person is equally valued and welcome.

What religious activities do you offer?

Because we know that Jesus Christ is the answer to meet each person’s deepest needs, we hold chapel service each night at 7 p.m. in each of the three centers for men, women and children. The services include singing, prayer and the gospel message presented by volunteers from a variety of evangelical protestant Christian churches in the community. Beyond that we have multiple Bible studies each day, as well as biblical counseling on a one-on-one basis. We also have open chapel hours during the day for guests who desire a few quiet moments to pray.

Do you provide one-on-one case management?

Our social services staff members and chaplains are trained to review the specific needs of our guests who want help. They serve as a resource to connect guests to a wide range of community services: medical and dental treatment, mental health support, detox and drug and alcohol treatment programs, securing identification, job training programs, housing, and literacy programs. We also work closely with the Veteran’s Administration, which provides medical, monetary benefits, housing and other services to eligible veterans.

More questions? Please complete our CONTACT US form, or give us a call at 541-344-3251. We would be honored to be a part of your new beginning.