Bend food pantry The Giving Plate begins new chapter with opening of its Community Store and Distribution Center

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies for both locations planned later this month

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Giving Plate, a Central Oregon food pantry, celebrates its 14th birthday on Wednesday with a milestone event: the opening of its Community Store and Distribution Center.

For over a decade, The Giving Plate has tirelessly served its neighbors, and this expansion marks a new chapter in its mission to combat food insecurity with dignity and compassion, the organization said in Tuesday's announcement, which continues in full:

Under the innovative Community Store model, guests will experience a welcoming market environment where they can select the food items that best suit their needs. Additionally, children will have their own empowering shopping experience at the Kid's Korner Store and play area, ensuring they don’t have to feel the shame of food insecurity.

Recognizing its guests' diverse schedules, The Giving Plate introduces new Wednesday hours from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., while Thursday and Saturday hours remain the same (Thursday and Friday 10:00 to 4:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 to 2:00 pm). The new Community Store is conveniently located in Reed Plaza at 61470 S Hwy 97, Bend, OR 97702.

The Giving Plate’s second location is its Distribution Center at 1212 NE 1st Street, Bend, OR 97701. This is where the community that partners with the organization can now bring food donations to support its mission to feed anybody in need with compassion and hospitality.

Donations are accepted during specified hours, with a convenient drop-off receptacle available outside the facility for after-hours contributions.

Under the new model, The Giving Plate will not be able to receive food donations at their Community Store but values the ongoing support from the community by bringing donations to the Distribution Center.

"We are so excited to open our doors in our new locations and with our new shopping models," said Ranae Staley, Executive Director of The Giving Plate. "We believe these new spaces will allow us to serve our guests more than food, as we bring them into a welcoming space that shows them that the hard circumstances they may be experiencing don’t define their worth. We want to invite them into a space that fosters hope, which is a foundational aspect to building resiliency as they work to get through the hard seasons they are in."

Later in April, The Giving Plate will host ribbon-cutting ceremonies at both locations on April 29th and 30th. Open house events will follow, inviting the community to explore the new facilities and see firsthand what has been made possible because of their support.

Open House Dates:

Community Store – 61470 S Hwy 97, Bend, OR 97702 (Reed Plaza):

- April 29th: Ribbon Cutting & Open House from 4-7:00 pm

- May 21st: Open House from 4-6:00 pm

- June 11th: Open House from 4-6:00 pm

Distribution Center – 1212 NE 1st Street, Bend, OR 97701:

- April 30th: Ribbon Cutting & Open House from 4-7:00 pm

- May 28th: Open House from 4-6:00 pm

- June 18th: Open House from 4-6:00 pm

For those interested in learning more about The Giving Plate’s mission, programs, support as a volunteer, or donate to the cause, visit www.thegivingplate.org or email info@thegivingplate.org.