Oregon Food Bank

Mission

To eliminate hunger and its root causes… because no one should be hungry.

Bottom Line for Portland

We know that hunger is not just an individual experience, but also a community-wide symptom of barriers to employment, education, housing and healthcare. That’s why we work systemically in our mission to end hunger in Oregon: we build community connections to help people access nutritious, affordable food today, and we build community power to eliminate the root causes of hunger for good. Your support helps us meet both the rising need for food assistance and advocate for the kind of systemic change we need to end hunger for good.

Quote

"I believe that if we help our neighbors today, this will be a better place to live for everybody. I am truly following my ikigai — my purpose in life — by giving back to the community and by giving to Oregon Food Bank.” – Anne Naito-Campbell

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Oregon Food Bank, we hold people experiencing hunger and food insecurity in Oregon and Southwest Washington at the center of our actions and decisions. We recognize that systemic injustices exist – such as racism, classism, and sexism — and that these create and perpetuate conditions that sustain poverty and hunger. We resolve to be led by our communities — those with lived experience of systemic oppression and food insecurity — in a shared effort to eliminate hunger and its root causes. We will confront poverty and oppression through solutions that honor our shared humanity and respond to the diversity of community strengths and needs… because no one should be hungry. 

Support the Food for All Oregonians Campaign,  a legislative effort that OFB has been co-leading with Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon (go support their G!G page, linked here) and a Steering Committee of 10 immigrant & refugee-led community organizations. The campaign's goal is to introduce and advance legislation that expands food assistance in Oregon to immigrant & refugee families currently excluded from traditional food assistance like SNAP, solely based on immigration status.

Partner(s)

We are excited and grateful to partner with Family Justice Center and Mainspring this year, two strong partners in Oregon Food Bank's equity and root cause work. A few words from each of them: 

FJC: “So far in 2024 we have provided 4,492 survivors with 7,255 services in Washington County. Of those, 501 accessed nutritious food in our grocery-style pantry. What I love about our pantry is it has no restrictions on amount a person can access, how often they access it, and it able to be flexible to accommodate dietary needs, preferences, and cultures.”

Mainspring: "Food is a universal language that connects communities, neighbors, and families, creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of connection. It is present during national events, passing laws, celebrating victories, mourning, birth, ceremonies, and everyday meals. Food is our bond to one another, whether we are in need or helping those with compassion and dignity."

Thank you to New Energy Works/Pioneer Millworks for being our sponsor this year!