User:Thomasngo/Draft:Oregon Food Bank
| Formation | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit organization |
Region | Oregon |
| Andrea Williams | |
| Website | www |
The Oregon Food Bank is a nonprofit organization focused on hunger relief in the U.S. state of Oregon and southwest Washington. Established in 1988, the organization is an affiliate of Feeding America and distributes food through a statewide network of regional food banks and partner agencies.
History
[edit]The Oregon Food Bank began as Oregon Food Share (OFS), founded in 1982. OFS created the first statewide food bank network in the United States and was contracted by the state to manage federal food assistance programs.[1] In 1988, OFS merged with Interagency Food Bank to form the Oregon Food Bank. That same year, the organization began hosting the Waterfront Blues Festival, an annual fundraising event in Portland. The festival supported the food bank through donations and awareness campaigns. After 30 years, Oregon Food Bank transitioned away from managing the festival but remains a beneficiary.[2]
Network and operations
[edit]According to the organization's 2024 impact report, the "Oregon Food Bank Network brings together 21 regional food banks and more than 1,400 food assistance sites."[3]
In its 2023 financial statements, the organization reported receiving significant food donations, resources, and financial support from individuals, businesses, and government programs including the U.S. Department of Agriculture.[4]
Advocacy and policy work
[edit]Oregon Food Bank conducts advocacy efforts, including supporting local, state, and federal legislation to improve food security and reduce poverty. For example, Oregon Food Bank supported the "Food for All Oregonians" campaign, which advocated for state legislation to extend food assistance benefits to undocumented immigrants. This campaign aimed to reduce food insecurity among immigrant and farmworker communities, who are disproportionately affected by hunger.[5]
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]Categories
[edit]- ^ "Profile: Oregon Food Bank". The Bridgespan Group. February 1, 2007. Archived from the original on April 4, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- ^ Bakall, Samantha (January 16, 2018). "Oregon Food Bank to step away from Waterfront Blues Festival after 30 years". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ "Oregon Food Bank Impact Report 2024" (PDF). Oregon Food Bank. 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2025-01-09. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ "Audited Financial Statement 2023" (PDF). Oregon Food Bank. 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-09-12. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
- ^ Sollitt, Shannon (2023-02-09). "SNAP nutrition program benefits Oregon immigrants, farm workers". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-09.