#EmergeStronger initiative allows Oregon Food Bank to adapt to COVID challenge

Posted April 2021

By Graciela Del Rosario

Staff Reporter

COVID-19 has struck all communities hard with limited overall resources and food availability, but the Oregon Food Bank (OFB) has adapted to the challenge in 2021 with their #EmergeStronger initiative.

OFB is known for their 1400 accessible food pantries across the Oregon area. As businesses of all sizes have been hit by the pandemic, OFB has been able to bounce back and serve their communities in ways that prioritize safety and health. Some of the biggest changes include limiting volunteering parties and gatherings to under 10, shifting many educational programs and training to online with an encouragement for anyone above 60 to do all programs virtually, and increasing the already rigorous sanitizing practices across all facilities.

OFB assists 860,000 adults and children annually, and as Oregon ranks amongst the top 20 states in the country to succumb to child food insecurity, meal distribution sites and volunteer work are vital. However, as schools and public facilities became limited or shut down, the need for organizations like OFB has skyrocketed.

In a statement from CEO Susannah Morgan, OFB has adopted #EmergeStronger in correlation of the mutual struggle amidst the pandemic. From asking for more volunteer shifts from those considered low-risk to simple monetary donations, Morgan asks Oregonians to assist in their mission to feed the needy.

“Each and every one of you is a critical part of our mission to end hunger and its root causes,” stated Morgan. “It’s times like these that our work together becomes even more visible—and to those who are most at risk, even more important.... With your continued support, I know that we can meet this challenge head-on and #EmergeStronger together.”

Much of OFB’s attention has shifted to the ongoing fight of equity and racial justice, making sure investments from the Oregon government are following through to provide nutrition to those who need it most. Accounting for the amount OFB gains from donations and funding, Public Policy Manager Matt Newell-Ching states OFB prioritizes not just meals but also investments in the Oregon Worker Relief Fund to those exempted from federal aid. In addition, they urge Oregonians to make their voices heard. From reaching out to those reliant on OFB for nutrition, to pressuring legislators to pass long-term measures to reinforce all communities, OFB and its allies have created The People’s Budget, developed with all classes of life in mind. It lists vital policies and investments to create more resilient communities and hunger a thing of the past.

“We know how much this pandemic has tested our public structures, exposing serious inequities in the process,” said Newell-Ching. “We need the legislature to support measures that help address these inequities and the broader drivers of hunger and poverty…. We can’t afford to slow down on our efforts to reimagine public safety.”

Although OFB is striking back on the community's weak points where it hurts, much of it wasn’t possible without their never-ending support and continued funding. Along with their standard financial donations, OFB is accepting donations under the #EmergeStronger initiative. If volunteering is too high-risk, or there doesn’t seem to be enough time, donations are an excellent way to keep foundations like OFB thriving and continuously providing to the higher priorities.