Community Cider Pressing: Success through Volunteer Collaboration
11 Dec 2025, by in UncategorizedThe Portland Fruit Tree Project’s annual October Community Cider Press Fundraiser drew over 400 attendees, distributed over 90 gallons of fresh apple cider and raised $1400 in donations. As PFTP’s Volunteer Coordinator VISTA, Owen facilitated this success by recruiting, training and engaging with over 30 volunteers who all contributed to the smooth operations of the day’s events.
Every year, PFTP faces a challenge familiar to many food rescue organizations: how to use fruit that’s too bruised or damaged for donation. For the past couple of years, the solution to this challenge has become the Community Cider Press, which turns B grade fruit into fresh cider while bringing neighbors together to celebrate the harvest season.
In 2025, with added support from Harvest VISTA member Owen, PFTP expanded this now-annual event by inviting more than 40 nonprofits to join as part of the kickoff to Portland’s GiveGuide fundraising season. With so many partners providing activities and engagement opportunities, strong volunteer support was essential to make the event a success.
In his role as Volunteer Coordinator, Owen organized volunteers into clear roles and shifts. He prepared them to help with every aspect of the day–guiding partner organizations to their spots, setting up for the event, greeting attendees, selling raffle tickets and merchandise, and supporting the cider pressing.
The event’s success reflects the added capacity provided through the Harvest VISTA program, which has strengthened PFTP’s volunteer recruitment and management. With this support, the 2025 Community Cider Press became the organization’s biggest and most successful yet.
Owen serves as the Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator VISTA with the Portland Fruit Tree Project (PFTP). He builds PFTP’s capacity for volunteer engagement, increases the amount of fruit collected and ensures that his community is supplied with fresh, local fruit. Owen is present at many of PFTP’s work parties, tabling events, and more as he works to recruit, retain and incentivize volunteers.
