Community engagement programs and leadership opportunities

Program Description: FEAST is a community organizing process that supports conversations about food that lead to local action. Through the FEAST Support Fund grant program, Oregon Food Bank supports local leadership teams to plan and hold FEAST conversations in their community. From those conversations, communities identify projects to implement that help strengthen their local food system and build community food security.

Program Timeline: October through December of the following year (a 15-month duration).

Who is eligible? A team of at least 3 people from a community in Oregon can apply to the FEAST Support Fund. You will need a fiscal sponsor in order to receive the funds. Preference is given to applicants from immigrant and refugee communities; Black, Indigenous, and all communities of color; trans and gender-non-conforming (TGNC) communities; and single mothers and caregivers. FEAST also gives preference to rural communities and those who have not participated in FEAST in the past two years.

Funding: FEAST Support Fund recipients receive a $7,000 grant, which includes $2,000 for Leadership Team member support and $5,000 for FEAST events and projects.

How to apply: Apply online.

Contact: Adriana Cvitkovic (she/her), Community Food Systems Organizer, acvitkovic@oregonfoodbank.org, 971-223-3359

Learn More: Additional FEAST information

Program Description: Oregon Food Bank’s Free Food Markets (FFMs) are in-person, no-cost food distributions where any and all individuals and families are welcome. In a comfortable, welcoming environment, folx can access fresh produce and culturally relevant foods. Free Food Markets are designed to be highly flexible and easily adapted to different community spaces and needs to center client dignity and equity, cultivate community and facilitate connections with community services.

Program Timeline: One-year minimum

Who is eligible? Non-profits, faith-based organizations and any other organizational groups interested in food insecurity.

How to apply: Please reach out to the Free Food Market Coordinator to express interest.

Contact: Rocky Nylund, Metro Services Manager, rnylund@oregonfoodbank.org, 503.689.8833 x8833

Program Description: The DUFB program offers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants additional dollars to spend on fruits and vegetables when they use their Oregon Trail EBT card at participating grocery stores, corner stores, farmers markets and farms in Oregon. DUFB Ambassadors identify ways to strengthen the impact of the program on communities who are disproportionately impacted by hunger and food insecurity. Join a cohort of community leaders that will provide direct outreach and education about DUFB, inform program decisions to lift barriers to participation and improve the program's overall accessibility.

Program Timeline: January to December annually, with options for 6-to-12-month project commitments

Who is eligible? Ambassadors must reside in Oregon and be 18 years of age or older. Oregon Food Bank prioritizes the following equity constituencies in the Ambassador selection process: people and communities of color; immigrants and refugees; single moms and caregivers; and trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) folx. Ambassadors are committed to championing equity efforts within their personal lives, workplace and community. They will add representation of diverse perspectives to the cohort. English proficiency is not necessary to fill this role. Translation and interpretation services are available for all meetings and written materials.

Funding: OFB provides financial support to remove barriers – such as childcare and transportation costs – to participate in this program. Please inquire with program staff to learn more.

How to apply: Apply online in English or Spanish. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Contact: Mason Durfee (they/them), Double Up Food Bucks Organizer, mdurfee@oregonfoodbank.org, ​971.223.3358 (call or text)

Learn More: Additional DUFB Ambassador Program information

Program Description: At Oregon Food Bank we work to address the root causes of food insecurity and we do this in collaboration with community members, coalitions, and healthcare partners. We understand that food insecurity and health are deeply intertwined and inequitable access to both are steeped in systemic racism, cissexism, and classism. In this space, the council will advise our food security work related to healthcare such as, produce prescription work, healthcare partnership development and advocacy for health equity policy in Oregon. Council members will bring their own lived-experience of food insecurity and health inequities to discuss meaningful ways we can all address barriers to food security and accessing quality health care.

Program Timeline: 9 months

Who is eligible? Individuals must reside in Oregon and be 18 years of age or older and have lived experience of food insecurity and health inequities.

Funding: OFB is able to provide funds to remove financial barriers to participation in our program, such as child care, transportation costs and the like. Please reach out to program staff to learn more.

How to apply: No formal application process, contact program organizer Jasmine Eppelsheimer.

Contact: Contact Jasmine Eppelsheimer (she/her), Health Equity Organizer, jeppelsheimer@oregonfoodbank.org

Program Description: Over a 15-month period, the Food Systems Ambassador Program works with four to six leaders for culturally specific communities through relationship building, intercultural exchange, program development and implementation. Ambassadors will create culturally specific projects that aim to improve their communities' access to food security resources, address root causes of hunger and create engagement opportunities for a more inclusive democracy. Ambassadors will help to build trust, understanding and collaborative strength between their community, the other ambassador communities, Oregon Food Bank and the political and social service entities at local, state and federal levels. Ambassadors will receive interpretation and translation services to ensure that English language proficiency is not a barrier. Support will include: financial incentives and community grant funds, 1-on-1 support, group training around hunger-relief programs, farm and garden projects, leadership development, community fundraising, and civic engagement activities. Technological support will be provided to increase access to virtual meetings.

Program Timeline: 15 months

Who is eligible? Anyone who identifies as a member of an underserved or marginalized community. Oregon Food Bank prioritizes access to single mothers and caregivers; immigrant, refugee, Black, Indigenous, and all Communities of Color; and trans and gender-non-conforming communities.

Funding: ~$5,800 Community Grant for Ambassador Project. Additional funds and grants are available throughout the program year, with a goal of continued funding after project completion.

How to apply: Apply online here. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 3, 2023. Please call or email the Ambassador Program Organizer for more information. Referrals for other people are welcome; please consider who in your community would be interested in being a Food Systems Ambassador.

Contact: Devin Dinihanian, Ambassador Program Organizer, ddinhanian@oregonfoodbank.org