Strengthening our ability to serve those in need
In the past year, the rural branches of Oregon Food Bank have been hard at work exploring new ways to better serve the remote locations in the network of regional food banks.
In Tillamook, OFB began mobile distributions during school breaks and at four senior center locations a year ago and has continued those distributions this year. The goal of these distributions is to build enough community support in south Tillamook County to open a ‘brick-and-mortar’ pantry.
In December, the school break mobile pantry distributed 8,300 pounds of food to 100 households, and a church in the south county area held several meetings to begin planning for a pantry in their area.
OFB’s Southeast branch is putting their new refrigerated truck to good use with increased delivery to Harney County and three new mobile distributions in Malheur County. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2011-12 alone, distribution to Harney County increased by 147 percent. The three new mobile distributions include a Harvest Share event in Jordan Valley and Arock, and a mobile pantry in Annex — three very small, very remote communities.
In the second quarter of fiscal year 2011-12, OFB hosted two Harvest Share distributions in Jordan Valley and Arock, resulting in 2,939 pounds of food. The first Annex mobile pantry held on December 8, resulted in 1,106 pounds of food.
We’re grateful that the investments made with the support of our generous donors are sparking community involvement to explore ways to fight hunger and bring emergency food where it is needed most.
