Holiday food boxes uncertain this year

By Katherine Warren

Smoke Signals staff member

Francene Ambrose, Grand Ronde Food Bank (iskam mǝkʰmǝk-haws) Coordinator, is uncertain whether there will be holiday food boxes for both Thanksgiving and Christmas due to a lack of funds and basic pantry staples.

The food bank is a part of Marion Polk Food Share and although it will be getting a small amount of food through the United States Department of Agriculture, it relies on local grocery stores such as WinCo, Safeway, Trader Joes and Dollar General for a majority of donations.

Like other food banks, it has been hit hard by the double whammy of federal USDA cuts and an increasing client need due to job loss, as well as increased costs of food and housing. Currently, the food bank is down to less than one pallet of food.

The food bank receives produce from local farmers and the Farm Share RX program. Meat is obtained through USDA and wild game through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“We just received 1,200 lbs. of bear meat,” Ambrose said.

During a recent Friday distribution, there were already 30 families in line when it opened. An hour after opening, more than 40 families had been served. In addition to food, people can also receive books, clothes, female products, party decorations and more. 

A volunteer, who goes by Niles, has been volunteering for five years and has been a food bank customer for eight years.

“The wait time can be up to three hours sometimes with people showing up as early as 6 a.m.,” he said. “The volunteers take time with each family that comes through to check in with them about things and truly care about each and every person, just as if they were a family member.”

In addition to checking in with families, during the Friday distribution volunteers unloaded a truck of bread, salad kits, premade sandwiches, veggies and fruit.

There were also coolers full of eggs and dairy products donated by a variety of grocery stores.  

Ian Dixon-McDonald, Vice President of Programs for Marion Polk Food Share, said that with USDA distributions down approximately 15%, people are walking away with less food than in prior years, with fewer meat and dairy products available. He noted there was a silver lining in that more grocery stores are making donations. However, it isn’t enough to make up for the loss of USDA staples.

“People can help by donating food locally, donating money to Marion Polk Food Share, volunteering at the food bank and talking to the lawmakers about the needs of USDA funding for the low-income family,” Dixon-McDonald said.  

The Grand Ronde Food Bank is one of the only local food banks that offers holiday boxes. There are several options to help out:

• Donate key items such as peanut butter, jam, tuna, canned chicken, pasta, sauce, cereal and shelf-stable milk to the food bank.
• Attend the Elders Activity Center fundraiser starting at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27. The event will include Indian tacos and a silent auction. All proceeds will go directly to the food bank for the holiday boxes.
• Purchase a holiday food box voucher from the Elders Activity Center for any amount and get entered into a raffle for various prizes. The deadline is Monday, Dec. 1.

In the past, the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, as well as Tribal Council, have helped to fund the holiday food boxes.

“We value the long-term partnership we’ve developed with Marion Polk Food Share over the past 21 years and we appreciate the work they do within the community,” Community Fund Director Angela Sears said. “While we have provided an official sponsorship for holiday food boxes in the past, it was never intended to be a long-term commitment. The appropriate path for seeking funding to support holiday food boxes is through our competitive grant program and MPFS has not yet submitted a request for this initiative.”

Smoke Signals reached out to Tribal Communications Director Sara Thompson and Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez but did not receive a response by press time in regard to council assisting with food boxes. This story will be updated later if that is provided.