Success Story

Oregon Food Bank is ensuring our food assistance system remains active during the current
public health crisis. Here are a few updates from our network of 21 regional food banks and 1,300 direct service agencies:

• Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Northeast Emergency Food Program (NEFP) has stepped up to COVID-19 response in an incredible way. Their drive-through pantry in NE Portland often has cars stretching for ten blocks. Oregon Food Bank Volunteer Coordinators have been working onsite to support NEFP's efforts. In all of 2019, NEFP served 42,411 clients. In April 2020, they served 47,320 clients! 

• Before COVID-19, NeighborImpact (the regional food bank serving Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties, Oregon) food program distributed 40,000 pounds of food per week to 51 partner agency food sites. In the third week of March alone, they distributed 80,000 pounds, twice the normal distribution. During the last week of March, NeighborImpact's mobile food pantry in Prineville increased by distribution by 30%: They loaded pre-packed boxes into 140 cars, delivered 10,000 pounds of food and served 398 persons—all in 90 minutes. 

• Food for Lane County has launched mobile “pop-up” food pantries, working with the NAACP in Eugene, Willamalane Parks and Recreation in Springfield, the high school in Oakridge, and the community center in Cottage Grove.