NeighborImpact’s Food Recovery Program gets $10,000 grant

NeighborImpact’s Food Recovery Program staff received good news in the form of a grant for $10,000 from Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation. The funds will be applied toward costs associated with collecting and delivering food through our distribution network in Central Oregon.

The Food Recovery Program collects food through partnerships with Oregon Food Bank and with 18 local groceries in Deschutes County.

The program recovers fresh, perishable produce, dairy products, bread and meat, transporting the collected food products in refrigerated trucks to our warehouse for distribution to 43 Partner Agencies in our tri-county area. Those partners operate food pantries, shelters, emergency food box locations, congregate meal sites, and food distribution programs.

“NeighborImpact is very thankful to the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation for this grant award,” says Carly Sanders, Food Program Manager for NeighborImpact. “Support from foundations such as Cow Creek really helps keep the food recovery program running, which is especially important in the summer months when we typically see a decrease in food and cash donations.”

NeighborImpact is the backbone of this food delivery network. In 2015, the organization distributed 2.6 million pounds of food. In each of the last six months, the Food Recovery Program received and distributed an average of 93,000 pounds. The program not only increases our partners’ service capacity but also keeps tons of safe, usable food from rotting in landfills.

About NeighborImpact’s Food Program: NeighborImpact’s Food Program is the regional affiliate of Oregon Food Bank. Our program collects and distributes over 2.6 million pounds of food to 43 local agencies in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties and at the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Emergency food sites help an average of 20,000 individuals every month.

For more information on NeighborImpact’s Food Bank and food recovery program, visit the website at www.neighborimpact.org/services/food or call 541-323-6548.

About NeighborImpact: Since 1985, NeighborImpact has been a leader in developing solutions and bringing resources to Crook, Jefferson and Deschutes County. The agency offers a diversity of services meeting basic human needs for food and shelter, while enriching people’s lives by providing access to increased education, skills, and hope for the future. NeighborImpact is a private nonprofit organization that receives federal, state and local grants, foundation grants, donations from individuals and business in our community. To learn more about NeighborImpact, please visit www.neighborimpact.org.

NeighborImpact is a “21 Cares for Kids” partner.