We will be distributing produce boxes to 50 refugee families for the next several months.

As the continued impact of COVID-19 has taken its toll on all of us, we have found that access to affordable, nutritional produce has become incredibly challenging for many families across our city and country. In fact, food banks across the United States are serving 55% more people now than before the pandemic, according to Feeding America. Many people are going hungry for the first time, as 4 in 10 of visitors at food banks have never been to one before.

Food security has been an especially challenging issue for many of the families within the Portland area resettlement community. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, people are considered food secure when they “at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” Food insecurity has also been raised by many case workers and those we partner closely with as a need for the families they serve. While we are committed to our ongoing efforts with Restart Kits, Emergency Relief and relational programs, we wanted to respond to help meet this need for refugee families across the city.

We are excited to announce that through our partnerships with Mora Mora Farms and Bridgetown Church, we will be delivering fresh, high quality produce boxes to fifty families each week the next six months. These boxes are filled with the kinds of ingredients we see parents seeking to provide for their families. We are so thankful to have this opportunity to show up for our newest neighbors and believe this will help many families move closer to food security these next several months. If you would like to support this program or others like it, please consider donating here.