In tough economic times, helping people in need is more important than ever. It will continue to take the support of the entire community to meet the growing demand for food.
Why should you support Oregon Food Bank? Here are some facts that may surprise you.
- Since the beginning of the Great Recession in 2007, food box distribution has increased 30 percent.
- The OFB Network now distributes almost a quarter-of-a-million more food boxes annually than it did before the recession.
- An average of 260,000 people eat meals from emergency food boxes each month. Of those, 85,800 are children.
- Oregon Food Bank fights hunger in our communities by distributing food to partner agencies throughout Oregon and Clark County, Wash., and works to address hunger's root causes through education, advocacy and community engagement.
Learn about ways to give.
The faces of hunger
- For the first time ever, distribution of emergency food boxes in Oregon and southwest Washington topped 1 million.
- Growing levels of long-term unemployment forced more and more people to fall into poverty and seek emergency food.
- In an average month, 85,800 children eat meals from emergency food boxes.
- Hunger hurts families, children, seniors and those who are disabled.
- Children who are hungry have more trouble learning in school.
- Childhood hunger and malnutrition can result in irreversible health problems later in life.
