If you’re struggling with food poverty and need food quickly, we’ve featured 10 of the best food banks in Portland, Oregon in the list below.
1. Union Gospel Mission
If you need help meeting your food needs in Portland, Oregon, the Union Gospel Mission operates a food pantry and soup kitchen to give you a hand. Established by members of the community in 1927, the mission’s soup kitchen provides two hot breakfasts, five sit-in lunches, three bag lunches, and one hot dinner staggered throughout the week. One day each week, the food pantry opens to distribute one box of non-perishable items with a one box per month limit for each recipient.
If you require their services, you can get in contact with them. Those wishing to sign up as a volunteer or donate to their cause can do so via their website.
2. Oregon Food Bank
The Oregon Food Bank in Portland, Oregon works with local soup kitchens and food pantries to provide large quantities of food and direct those experiencing food insecurity to a location that can meet their particular needs. Through a network of distributors, they assist those in the Portland area and beyond in acquiring basic food items for their pantry and prepared meals to prevent hunger and foster hope for a better tomorrow.
Want to help? Donate or volunteer on their site. If you have further questions or you need assistance, get in touch with them to find out what they can do for you.
3. David Douglas High School Food Pantry
David Douglas High School (DDHS) in Portland, Oregon is operated by Sun Community Schools (SCS). Once each week, DDHS opens its cafeteria after school to provide boxes of food items gathered through a partnership between SCS and the Oregon Food Bank. They provide enough canned foods, dry goods, frozen meat, fresh and frozen vegetables, dairy, and eggs to last the average family up to five days and get them through weekends when other food options may not be available to them.
Contact the office at Sun Community Schools if you would like to know more about the program. Donate or volunteer via the Oregon Food Bank.
4. Sunshine Division Food Pantry
The Portland Police Reserves in Portland, Oregon takes their oath to protect and serve seriously. In 1923, they began gathering food items to create holiday baskets that they handed out to those in need. Their program has since evolved to meet the everyday needs of their community. Now operated by volunteers in partnership with the Portland Police, the food pantry is open six days per week to provide pre-prepared boxes of non-perishable food items to all who request them.
Anyone wanting to get involved or donate can do so via their website. Contact a member of staff for assistance or information.
5. Snowcap Community Services
If you are in Portland, Oregon, and need help keeping food on the table, Snowcap Community Services can assist you. Founded by area ministers nearly 60 years ago, they have evolved to serve an increasingly substantial number of recipients over the years. They open their food pantry five days per week to distribute prepared boxes of non-perishable items and whatever fresh and frozen produce they have available.
Want to donate or volunteer? Visit their website for more information or to get in contact with the volunteers who work so hard to assure that no one goes hungry.
6. Crossroads Food Bank
For the past 25 years, the Crossroads Food Bank in Portland, Oregon has been helping the people in their community with food insecurity. The tiny pantry that began in a single storage room of the Crossroads Community Church now inhabits a facility with coolers and freezers large enough to hold considerable quantities of food. They are open two days per week to provide non-perishable and perishable food items to families in their community.
If you would like to volunteer or donate, visit their website. Contact someone at the food bank with any questions or to offer a helping hand.
7. C3 Food Pantry
Portland, Oregon residents who are looking for food to feed their families can visit the C3 Food Pantry during their weekly distribution. The pantry got its start back in 2013 when Seth and Kaz Brooks moved from Australia and began hosting weekly prayer meetings and meals at their home. In 2017, they founded the C3 Church and created the food pantry outreach. The pantry is operated as a drive-thru or walk-up where each person can pick up boxed non-perishable food items for up to two families.
Volunteers and donations are always needed and appreciated. Contact a member of the church staff if you’d like to know more about their outreach program.
8. Preston’s Pantry
Finding yourself stuck with a bare cupboard in Portland, Oregon? Preston’s Pantry, operated by Lift Urban Portland, provides food twice monthly to residents in their surrounding area. The pantry was started in 2007 by volunteers as an increased presence of the original outreach founded by area ministers in 1980. Shoppers can choose their preferred produce, dairy, dry and canned foods, meat, and eggs from this grocery store style pantry.
You can donate or sign up to volunteer online. Contact information is available for anyone who would like to communicate further with a member of staff.
9. Northeast Emergency Food Program
The Northeast Emergency Food Program, operated by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon founded in 1974, serves community members suffering from food poverty in the Portland, Oregon area. They provide much-needed food for thousands of families every year through their two-day-per-week food distribution and mobile food units. There is no need for proof of residence, need, or citizenship. They provide food to all equally. If you are experiencing hunger, they are there to help you on a short or long-term basis.
Volunteer or donate online. If you have more questions or would like to discuss their program further, you can get in touch.
10. Sisters of the Road Cafe
In 1979, Sandy Gooch and Genevieve Nelson opened the Sisters of the Road Café with very little money. They’ve been fighting for the hungry and homeless ever since on several fronts. If you are in Portland, Oregon, and need a hot meal, they are there to provide it. Their Café offers cheap and cheerful meals that can be paid for with cash, EBT cards, or through a barter system that trades volunteer time for free meals to those who can’t pay.
You can donate online. Sign up to volunteer by making a reservation for a meal or just by calling to offer your time for free. Contact the café to learn more.
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