Bend market, shoppers raise $50,000 to fight hunger
Newport Avenue Market customers, team members and suppliers raised $50,000 to go toward alleviating hunger in Bend. The money raised, as a result of the market’s Food for February fundraiser, will be used to purchase groceries at cost for Family Kitchen of Bend to provide enough meals for an entire year.
Newport Avenue shoppers generously donated throughout the month of December and the employee-owned market matched the funds donated dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000.
It is not commonly known that February is one of the hardest hitting months for hungry families in Central Oregon. Money is tight after the holidays, donations dwindle and food pantries are depleted. Since 2011, Food for February has raised nearly $185,000 for hungry families in Central Oregon, including $89,000 in matching funds from Newport Avenue Market.
“Thanks to shopper generosity, we are able to provide Family Kitchen with enough meals for an entire year,” said Lauren Johnson, CEO of Newport Avenue Market.
“Food for February represents Family’s Kitchen largest in-kind donation each year, coming from hundreds of shoppers and the employee-owned market,” said Donna Burklo, Family Kitchen’s development director. “That represents a lot of people caring for their neighbors – it is a true community effort.”
Newport Avenue Market works hand-in-hand with wholesaler, Unified Grocers, to use the funds to selectively order hundreds of fresh foods from Family Kitchen’s wish list. “Our diners notice the quality of the ingredients in meals at Family Kitchen,” says Cindy Tidball, kitchen coordinator. She adds, “They know that they are getting healthy, fresh food and that can eliminate one of the worries of their day.”
About Family Kitchen
Guided by the belief that nobody should be hungry, the Family Kitchen has been providing meals to anyone in need since 1986. Family Kitchen serves three dinners and four lunches each week, averaging 4,500 meals per month served by over 250 volunteers. Our diners are treated with respect and are asked nothing but to leave with a full stomach. Family Kitchen operates as a separate entity sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church (EIN 93-0427371). For more information, please visit www.familykitchen.org .
