For many Oregon families, putting food on the table is becoming more difficult. Rising grocery costs, changing benefits and growing financial pressures are forcing more people to make impossible choices between food, housing, healthcare and other basic necessities.
That’s why Catholic charities of Oregon is hosting a Pop-Up Food Pantry. With support from community partners, donors and volunteers, we hope to provide immediate relief while building another pathway to stability for the individuals and families we serve.
For many families, summer brings cookouts, vacations and time spent together.
For others, it can bring harder choices about how to stretch already limited grocery budgets.
As food prices remain high and many households continue navigating economic uncertainty, Catholic Charities of Oregon is preparing to host its first-ever Pop-Up Food Pantry for clients and residents of our affordable housing communities on June 17.
The pantry will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. behind Catholic Charities’ main office at 2740 SE Powell Blvd. in Portland and will provide free food and grocery support to participants facing food insecurity.
While this is the first event of its kind for CCO, we hope it will become a recurring quarterly resource as funding, donations and volunteer support allow.
Growing Need, Growing Challenges
Across Oregon and the nation, food insecurity continues to affect families, older adults, individuals living on fixed incomes and people already facing housing instability.
Recent federal and state SNAP changes have added new challenges for many households. Beginning June 1, some Oregonians applying for or renewing SNAP benefits must meet additional requirements, including interviews and documentation requirements, while expanded federal work rules continue affecting thousands of recipients statewide. Oregon officials estimate that thousands of Oregonians could lose or see reductions in food assistance under recent policy changes.
At the same time, nonprofit organizations and food assistance providers continue experiencing increased demand while navigating funding uncertainty, rising costs and fierce competition for limited grant resources.
The result is simple. More people need help and community support matters more than ever.
A Community Effort
The June 17 Pop-Up Pantry is possible because of partnerships, donations and community collaboration.
With support from organizations including the Oregon Food Bank and Goodwill Industries. Catholic Charities hopes to provide groceries and food resources that help ease some of the pressure families and individuals are facing this summer.
For many participants, even a small amount of food assistance can help stretch a budget further, free up money for rent or utilities and reduce stress during an already difficult season.
Food is about more than nutrition. It is about dignity, stability and helping people feel supported during challenging moments.
Volunteers Needed June 17
Catholic Charities is currently seeking volunteers to help make the event possible.
Volunteers are needed to assist with setup, distribution and breakdown during the Pop-Up Food Pantry. Whether you have volunteered with us before, or are looking for a new way to support your community, your time can make a meaningful difference.
Together, we can help ensure that more of our neighbors have access to the food, support and stability they need this summer.