Feed Sisters sets ambitious 5,000-pound food drive goal for 2026
SISTERS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Feed Sisters 2026 food drive aims to collect 5,000 pounds of nonperishable food for the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank during its annual campaign, which runs Oct. 4 through Oct. 31 in Sisters, Ore.
The food drive comes as demand for assistance at the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank has more than doubled recently. Powered entirely by volunteers, the food bank has served local families for more than 40 years, with 100% of the food and monetary donations collected during the campaign remaining in the community.
Community members can begin preparing for the drive on Sept. 21 by picking up a free grocery bag at Makin' it Local, located at 281 W. Cascade Ave. Each bag contains a checklist of high-priority items needed by the food bank and filled bags can be returned to the gallery throughout October. Myrna Dow of Makin' it Local emphasized the collective effort required to meet local needs.
“Feed Sisters is about neighbors taking care of neighbors,” Dow said. “Picking up and filling a grocery bag goes a long way to help our community. We encourage those who can to fill a bag or two and visit Makin' it Local. When an entire community does it together, those bags can fill a food bank.”
Organizers ask donors to contribute unopened, unexpired and full-size items whenever possible. High-priority items requested by the food bank include peanut butter, strawberry and grape jelly, corn flakes, canned chicken and tuna, refried beans, canned or dried beans and lentils, beef stew, beef ravioli, chili, chicken noodle soup and cream of chicken soup.
Doug Wills and Jeff Taylor of the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank explained how specific food donations assist their operations. “The generosity of the Sisters community directly helps local families, children, seniors and individuals facing food insecurity,” Wills and Taylor said. “Donating the foods we need most allows our volunteers to stock the shelves with items families can immediately use.”
The campaign is also encouraging financial contributions, which give the food bank flexibility to purchase specific needed items. To stimulate giving, Makin' it Local is offering to match the first $500 in monetary donations made during the campaign, turning $500 in public contributions into $1,000 for the food bank. Dow noted that monetary gifts provide an alternate option for participants short on time.
“Our role is simply to provide a place for the community to gather, give and help,” Dow said. “We hope the match encourages people who may not have time to shop to make a monetary contribution instead. Whether someone gives one can, fills an entire bag, or donates a few dollars, it all helps.”
The 5,000-pound goal for 2026 represents more than double the food collected during the previous year's drive. In 2025, community members donated 2,410 pounds of nonperishable food and $1,220 in cash, which included $900 raised from auctioning three custom-framed original art paintings. Dow noted that past community support provides a foundation for this year's expanded target.
“Last year showed what Sisters can accomplish,” Dow said. “This year, we're asking those that can to help us fill one more bag, reach one more neighbor and build on that extraordinary generosity.”
Participants in the campaign will also be eligible to enter community prize drawings. Drawing items for 2026 include a $100 gift card to Makin' it Local, a $100 gift card to a participating local restaurant and a custom-framed fine-art print by a local artist valued at $450. Details on campaign rules and progress updates are available on the campaign website.
Free grocery bags and food checklists will be available at Makin' it Local starting Sept. 21. Donors can return filled bags to the gallery during regular business hours from Oct. 4 through Oct. 31.
