The ice storm emergency in Lane County continues to have a serious impact on our neighbors. We are humbled by our community’s strength and support for one another through offers of temporary housing, warm meals and transportation.
The storm has significantly impacted FOOD For Lane County operations. Our downtown Dining Room is without power and has sustained damage and food loss (please note that as of Monday, January 22, power has been restored to the Dining Room). We were unable to pick up donated food from our grocery store partners for most of the week. Many of our 150+ partner agencies through which we distribute food have reported they are unable to operate due to damage, power loss and significant food inventory losses – just when their communities need it most.
Our primary concern is for the families already facing great stress, including hunger and food insecurity. Lane County residents who lost power will lose groceries in their fridges and freezers – food losses they cannot afford. In the coming days, many will make difficult decisions about how to feed their families and how to stay warm and safe.
We’re doing everything we can to get food out to the community, including working with Lane County Government to make sure emergency shelters have food and delivering pallets of water to the Springfield respite sites for people under a boil-water advisory.
FOOD For Lane County delivers bottled water to Springfield respite sites for neighbors currently under a boil-water advisory.
There is an increased need for food across our county right now, and this will continue even after the worst of the storm has been dealt with.
If you’d like to help, we will put your donation to use delivering food to families around Lane County right away. Make a donation online today. We’re also always grateful to receive food donations. Click here to learn more about our most needed foods.
Our response will continue to evolve quickly as needs emerge around the county. We’ll be in touch with more ways you can help.
Thank you for being a part of our community during this difficult time.