The unofficial “Mayor of Northeast Portland” shares why connection, kindness, and a weekly meal delivery from Meals on Wheels People make all the difference.
At 95 years old, Paul Knauls still carries the kind of presence that makes people stop and listen.
Known affectionately as the unofficial “Mayor of Northeast Portland,” Paul has spent decades helping shape the city he calls home as a business owner, community leader, advocate, and neighbor. For generations of Portlanders, he’s not just a familiar face. He’s part of the city’s story.
Born in Huntington, Arkansas, Paul moved to Portland in 1963 after serving four years in the U.S. Air Force. Alongside his late wife, Geneva, he helped build the heart of Portland’s historic Albina neighborhood, owning and operating beloved community institutions including The Cotton Club, Paul’s and Geneva’s Restaurant and Lounge, and Geneva’s Shear Perfection.
But Paul’s legacy extends far beyond business.
He has devoted his life to showing up for his community, serving on boards, volunteering with local schools and organizations, and helping bring one of Portland’s most meaningful landmarks to life: The Dream, also known as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Sculpture, located outside the Oregon Convention Center. As a board member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Statue Foundation, Paul was instrumental in helping secure funding for the project, which remains one of his proudest accomplishments. He is quick to credit the vision and leadership of Dosie Clark and Sen. Bill and Gladys McCoy, whose efforts made the memorial possible.
Paul knows firsthand how much community connection matters.
Watch Paul’s Story
He receives weekly deliveries from Meals on Wheels People and says those visits mean more than just food.
“You don’t get many visitors when you live alone,” Paul says. “But every Thursday, Miss Carrie comes by with a smile, a little chit-chat, and enough food for the week. It makes you really happy to know Meals on Wheels People came through.”
For Paul, those visits are a reminder of the same values he’s spent his life championing: kindness, dignity, and neighbors showing up for one another.
“Meals on Wheels People is one of the better organizations around,” he says. “It helps senior citizens know someone cares.”
After a lifetime of giving back to Portland, Paul’s story is a powerful reminder that community works best when we all show up for one another.
That’s why he’s sharing his story — to encourage others to volunteer, donate, and help ensure every older adult has the nourishment and connection they deserve.
As Paul puts it: “Join up. You might run into people who helped put you where you are today.”
No senior should feel forgotten
With your support, Meals on Wheels People can continue delivering nutritious meals, friendly visits, and vital connection to older adults across the Portland-Vancouver metro area.
