2020 Winter Appeal
With your help, we’ve pulled off some incredible feats this year! Despite all the challenges of 2020, our donors, volunteers, partners, and staff have come together to continue serving our existing members in COVID-safe ways, while also expanding to reach new communities.
I am so proud of all we’ve overcome. Yet, there is so much more we can do. With your support, we can help end hunger for hundreds of families in 2021.
High economic impact of the pandemic hits kids hardest
New research from Feeding America* estimates that today, more than 1 in 5 children in Clackamas County are food insecure, compared to fewer than 1 in 10 back in 2018.
In my last letter, you read about the weekly food box pickups we’re offering to families at Lot Whitcomb and Oak Grove Elementary Schools – local schools where students were the most likely to be food insecure, even before the pandemic.
In Multnomah County, Feeding America’s research shows, the rate of food insecurity amongst children is even worse: nearly 1 in 4 children are currently living without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
New connections help fill the gaps
To support more families in need, we’re making new connections.
Recently, we partnered with the East County Food Pantry (ECFP), a volunteer-run organization that formed in March when coronavirus concerns shuttered a longstanding Fairview food pantry. Knowing the high level of need in the area, volunteers running the former pantry banded together to start the ECFP out of a church parking lot.
When the organization’s co-chair, James Donahue, reached out to me with an urgent request for support in October, CSC began sharing a weekly truckload of bread, soup, apples, cereal, and more to help the 260+ people the ECFP serves each week, which includes over 90 children.
One of the pantry’s regulars, Stephanie, says the food she gets from the ECFP helps her make ends meet while her family of four lives on her husband’s part-time income. “Every week, I know I can get my milk, butter, and vegetables here.”
No one should have to worry about where their next meal will come from, but that’s the reality for too many kids and families in 2020. Thankfully, your past support has helped fund our home delivery program, meals, and satellite food distribution sites like those at local schools and ECFP, which collectively put food on the tables of over 300 households each week.
We need your help to continue and strengthen these programs in 2021. Your gift will impact local families in more ways than one. As James at ECFP says, “We’re not just sharing food, we’re sharing hope.”
Will you make a donation today, and give hope to kids and families facing their hardest year ever?
Gratefully,
Debra Mason
Executive Director
P.S. This year has been tough for all of us, and the work ahead can feel daunting. However, the generosity of this community continues to astound me, and I know that with our combined efforts, we can continue to fill thousands of fridges, cupboards, and bellies in 2021.
“Right now, we’re in the middle of a crisis,” says James, our new partner at ECFP. “It takes good people to step up to help.”
*Feeding America data citation: Gundersen, C., M. Hake, A. Dewey, E. Engelhard (2020). The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020, Update October 2020 [Data file and FAQ]. Available from Feeding America: research@feedingamerica.org.
Our deepest thanks to Classic Business Printing Services for donating paper, ink, and time for the physical version of this newsletter.