Demand for food donations remains high this season

By THERESA HOGUE

Gazette-Times reporter

Each year for nearly three decades, families who might otherwise go without a Thanksgiving dinner have benefited from the generosity of the local community and taken home armfuls of holiday food donated during the annual holiday food drive.

Sadly, the need for such donations has not lessened during those 27 years. In fact, demand for emergency food assistance is higher than ever this year, according to Ryan McCambridge coordinator of Linn-Benton Food Share.

During the months of July, August and September, McCambridge said, the number of households seeking help was up 6 percent from the previous year, and at local soup kitchens, the number of emergency meals being provided was up 24 percent.

"In the summer that number is usually flat or goes down, so to see that increase is somewhat surprising," McCambridge said.

Meanwhile, the USDA commodity program that normally provides food pantries with some of their supplies has reduced its donations by 50 percent, and corporate donations are also down.

"That's had a dramatic impact on our services," McCambridge said.

Luckily, community generosity has increased, somewhat making up for the losses.

"It's getting to the point where it's the local community taking care of its own," McCambridge said.

To meet the needs of the community this year, organizers of the Community Holiday Food Drive expect to distribute $45,000 worth of food to more than 4,600 individuals, about 40 percent of whom are children. More than $20,000 needs to be raised to buy perishable goods for the drive, and nonperishable food donations are also needed.

Families and individuals wanting to sign up to receive a Thanksgiving food basket can apply at Vina Moses, Community Services Consortium, Community Outreach Inc. and local food pantries. Recipients are eligible to receive a basket if they are participating in the food stamp program, TANF, SSI, LIEAP or State General Assistance Program, meet the USDA income guidelines or can be referred by a local church or social service agency.

The Thanksgiving food baskets will be distributed on Nov. 19 at the Benton County Fairgrounds.

HOW TO HELP

Want to help with the Community Holiday Food Drive?

Most Corvallis and Philomath residents found a plastic grocery bag on their doorstep last week. To help with the food drive, just fill the bag with nonperishable, store-bought food items and leave it on your porch Saturday morning.

More than 1,000 local Boy Scouts will be collecting those bags of food between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Cash donations will also be accepted at that time.

Monetary and food donations can also be made at Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers, 1109 N.W. Ninth St., Corvallis.

Anyone who wants to donate larger quantities of apples, squash, potatoes or other items can contact organizer Judy Gibson at 257-3426.

Gibson said volunteers are still needed next week to sort and pack up the food, and to distribute the food on Nov. 19. To volunteer, call 257-3426.