ROSEBURG, Ore. — Many of Douglas County’s low-income residents rely on two sources to ward off hunger: meals made available through Douglas County’s emergency food network and SNAP (food stamps).
With food prices soaring recently, United Community Action Network’s (UCAN) Douglas County Food Bank has seen demand for emergency meals doubling from previous years.
Earlier this year, the federal government reduced some Food Bank’s funding, decreasing the amount of food it can purchase. Now, it is likely local residents will not receive their food stamp benefits in November.
UCAN says many of our most vulnerable neighbors – local children, local seniors and local people with disabilities – will be left without adequate food to meet their needs.
The organization says the suspension of the food stamp benefit is going to put enormous pressure on its network to meet local needs.
UCAN’s CEO, Jordan Jungwirth observes: “Hunger isn’t going to wait for a policy decision to be made. In Douglas County, one in five children are living in poverty and far too many families are already doing everything right but still struggling to get by. Having access to emergency food means people won’t have to choose between buying groceries, paying rent, or keeping the lights on. This is a call to action for us all.”
With approximately 18% of Douglas County households about to lose food stamps, there are a number of actions local residents can take to stop hunger locally:
1. Donate Today
Financial contributions, whether one-time or recurring, make the biggest difference. UCAN can purchase food at subsidized rates through the USDA and Feeding America. Every $10 donated helps UCAN provide up to 30 meals across Douglas County. Visit www.ucancap.org and click “Donate Today.” From the drop-down menu labeled “Apply my Donation To,” select “Food Bank” to ensure your gift directly supports immediate food assistance across Douglas County.
2. Support Local Food Drives
Community food drives remain an important way to increase the Food Bank’s food supply. The following are hosting food drives in November:
a. Banner Bank: Now through October 31
b. Rogue Credit Union: All of November
c. KVAL’s Take A Bite Out Of Hunger (TABOOH) Food Drive: November 18 at Roseburg Bi-Mart
3. Host a Food or Fund Drive
Hosting a drive through your workplace, school, or faith community is a powerful way to help. UCAN provides food collection barrels and a toolkit to guide you through the process. To learn more or get started, contact Valerie Gordon, Food Bank Program Manager, at [email protected] or call (541) 492-3518
If You Need Food
If you or someone you know needs food assistance, you can find information about local sources of food at: http://www.ucancap.org/food-pantries
