More than two dozen area restaurants are on board for February’s Grilled Cheese Experience, a FOOD for Lane County fundraiser Grilled cheese. When faced with those words, I hear them in my head in Homer Simpson’s prolonged, drool-soaked drawl: “Mmmm … grilllllled cheeeeese.” I don’t know if “The Simpsons” patriarch has ever uttered that phrase… Read more »
Birthday Club: A new way to give in 2019
You’ve seen it on Facebook and GoFundMe … crowdsourcing has become a new way for non-profits to receive donations. People are now inviting friends and family to join them in donating to favorite causes. Through a company called Classy.org, FOOD For Lane County is now reaching out to a new generation of donors through… Read more »
Farm Bill Success
We did it! On December 20, the President signed into law H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Also known as the 2018 Farm Bill, the legislation funds critical programs that address hunger and food production nationwide. After two years of advocacy efforts, FOOD for Lane County commends Congress for writing a bipartisan bill… Read more »
Extend holiday generosity to those simply trying to survive
I am writing to reflect on what is actually important during Christmas. All you can think about is gifts and decorations, and buying expensive trees. People who are more fortunate spend a lot on things we really don’t need. What’s truly important is that we are grateful for what we have. This includes family, friends,… Read more »
Food insecurity still high in Lane County
While Oregon is known for its rugged beauty, great outdoors and fabulous food and beverages, it has another distinction. Oregon lags behind much of the nation in reducing its rate of food insecurity. According to the Oregon Center for Public Policy, the rate of food insecurity fell by 11 percent nationally from 2014 to 2016,… Read more »
25th Day of Caring: ‘We can’t do it ourselves without volunteers’
EUGENE, Ore. – Some 900 hundred volunteers came together to give back in Lane County on Thursday for the 25th annual United Way Day of Caring. At FOOD for Lane County, 200 people helped package cereal and tackle other projects. Volunteer coordinator Daniel Budd said the food bank couldn’t operate without its volunteers. Read… Read more »
Food insecurity in Lane County
When Mike Fleck started his tenure as Community Sharing’s Executive Director a little over seven years ago, the food pantry was distributing an average of 450 to 500 boxes a month packed with stables like bread and other boxed foods. Four years later, distribution soared to 700 boxes, sometimes reaching as high as 900. It… Read more »
Sweet harvest for Oregon State Hospital and Food for Lane County
JUNCTION CITY — The seeds of a partnership planted three years ago between Food for Lane County and the state psychiatric hospital in Junction City have blossomed into a bumper crop of fresh apples for families in need. On Wednesday, about 20 hospital patients, staff and volunteers picked the first apples from the more than… Read more »
Despite strong economy, many Americans struggling to get by
Despite a strong economy, about 40 percent of American families struggled to meet at least one of their basic needs last year, including paying for food, health care, housing or utilities. That’s according to an Urban Institute survey of nearly 7,600 adults that found that the difficulties were most prevalent among adults with lower incomes… Read more »
In rural Oregon, trips to food banks are the new normal
In towns such as Junction City, rising housing costs push families to pantries to fill monthly budget gaps Walking through the immaculate, well-organized aisles of Junction City Local Aid’s food pantry, Jeanie Burr chatted happily with volunteer Peggy Saltz about produce. “OK, so I got a cauliflower,” Burr said, clutching three bags. “Look at the… Read more »
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