Recently, the President of the Oregon Food Bank shared a troubling statistic: hunger rates in Oregon are the highest they’ve been since the Great Depression.
Jenn Reida, Executive Director of FISH of Roseburg, told us about the increased demand for food assistance. Over the past year, the number of families they help each month has risen from over 750 to more than 1,000.
“We often receive calls asking for our ‘Door Dash’ delivery program. Many cannot visit us during open hours. We also have college students who need help,” Reida explained. FISH is now opening on the last Saturday of each month to better serve those in need.
Reida has noticed more families with at least one working adult seeking food assistance. Additionally, the number of elderly customers has also increased. To meet this growing need, FISH is exploring innovative ways to gather donations and support.
FISH offers unique programs like a neighborhood food donation service. Teachers from local schools also come to collect food for families in communities like Myrtle Creek and Riddle.
Meanwhile, Carolyn Stein, Executive Director of Food for Lane County, is noticing a similar trend. She reported a 17% rise in visits to food pantries from 2023 to 2024.
If we look back further, the numbers are even more concerning. “From 2021 to 2024, visits to our pantries have increased by 101%,” Stein stated.
She mentioned that around 30% of Lane County residents will seek food assistance at least once this year. Over the past few years, Food for Lane County has spent about $1 million on food, which wasn’t necessary a decade ago.
Stein is preparing for the possibility of an even greater demand for food assistance due to potential cuts to SNAP benefits or changes to federal programs. The Oregon Food Bank receives about 17% of its supplies from Feeding America, which it distributes to local partners like Food for Lane County.
With so much uncertainty surrounding federal support, Food for Lane County is readying itself for various scenarios to continue helping those in need.
