Who we are

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

What is Oregon Food Bank?
Oregon Food Bank is a nonprofit, charitable organization. It is the hub of the Oregon Food Bank Network, a statewide network of 20 regional food banks and 915 agencies and programs serving Oregon and Clark County, Wash.

Oregon Food Bank recovers food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources. It then delivers that food to 20 regional food banks covering OFB’s service area. Regional food banks distribute this food and additional resources from local donations to nonprofit programs serving low-income people in their communities.

Sixteen of the 20 regional food banks are independent charitable organizations. OFB directly operates the four regional food banks serving the Portland metro area, Washington County, southeast Oregon and Tillamook County. Those four centers distribute food to more than 340 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs helping low-income individuals in Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah, Washington, Harney, Malheur and Tillamook counties.

OFB also works to eliminate the root causes of hunger through advocacy, nutrition education, learning gardens and public education.

Who’s hungry?
Hunger remains a huge problem in Oregon and Clark County, Wash. Those most likely to need emergency food are families and children. Most adults who receive emergency food are working, retired or disabled. And two-parent families make up the largest group of those receiving emergency food.

In an average month, an estimated 200,000 people eat meals from an emergency food box provided by the Oregon Food Bank Network of 368 food pantries. A typical food box provides a three-to-five day supply of groceries. In addition, 175 soup kitchens and shelters provided 4-million emergency meals and 375 other agencies helped more than 87,000 people.

Last year, Oregon Food Bank collected and distributed 30.7-million pounds of food. In total, the Oregon Food Bank Network of 919 agencies distributed 57.7-million pounds of food.

Why are people hungry?

People are hungry because they don't make enough money to cover basic living costs. The high cost of housing, health care, childcare and fuel make it difficult for low-income individuals and families to have enough money to pay for food.

• 46 percent of households had at least one member working.
• 52 percent cite the high cost of food as the reason why they seek food assistance
• 40 percent cite the high cost of fuel and heat, up from 31 percent in 2006 and 21 percent in 2002.
• 25 percent cite high medical costs
• 25 percent cite low wages
• 23 percent cite high rent or mortgage
• 11 percent cite a recent job loss