As families face rising costs, reduced benefits and fewer food resources in their neighborhoods, Catholic Charities is finding new ways to help bridge the gap. This week’s Pop-Up Food Pantry brought together staff, volunteers and community partners to provide food, connection and support to those who needed it most.
On Wednesday afternoon, neighbors lined up outside Catholic Charities of Oregon’s headquarters, not just for food, but for something increasingly difficult to find in uncertain times: a helping hand.
Our Pop-Up Food Pantry on June 17 served 117 households and more than 400 individuals, providing pantry staples, fresh produce and other essential items to families, seniors, and individuals experiencing hardship.
The need was evident.
Food Access Is Becoming Harder to Find
Across Oregon and the nation, many households continue to grapple with rising food costs, economic uncertainty and reductions in public benefits. For some, putting food on the table means making difficult choices between groceries, rent, utilities, transportation or medications.
“Food is one of the most basic human needs, and yet for too many families it’s becoming harder to access,” said Rose Bak, Chief Operating Officer of Catholic Charities of Oregon. “Yesterday showed both the scale of the challenge and the generosity of our community. When people come together to support one another, they create hope and stability where it’s needed most.”
Stepping Up Despite Limited Resources
What made Wednesday’s pantry especially meaningful was the number of Catholic Charities employees who stepped away from their regular duties to volunteer. Staff members helped unload food, set up distribution tables, welcome guests, direct traffic, carry groceries and ensure the event ran smoothly from start to finish.
Their efforts reflected something we see every day at Catholic Charities: a commitment to meeting people where they are and responding to needs with compassion and dignity.
The pantry also drew attention from the broader community. KOIN 6 News visited the event and highlighted the growing demand for food assistance, sharing stories from participants and volunteers alike.
While we are grateful for the turnout and support, we also recognize a difficult reality that no one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. In recent years, food resources across our community have become more strained. Funding reductions, changes to assistance programs and rising costs have created additional barriers for many families. As those challenges continue, Catholic Charities remains committed to finding creative ways to help fill the gaps.
Looking Ahead
With funding support, we hope to make the Pop-Up Food Pantry a quarterly event, providing additional opportunities for individuals and families to access nutritious food and connect with resources.
We are deeply grateful to the staff, volunteers, donors and community partners who helped make this event possible.
Together, we served more than 400 people. More importantly, we reminded our neighbors that they are not alone.