Legislature considers $7.5M emergency funding to local food banks as need grows
This is the first month Oregonians, alongside 31 other states, will see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits return to pre-COVID-19 amounts. Oregon Food Bank is bracing for an increase in need.
In a letter to state lawmakers, Gov. Tina Kotek urged lawmakers to approve $7.5 million for emergency food purchasing through Oregon Food Bank.
The state is facing an "unprecedented food shortage crisis," Kotek wrote, due to a combination of federal pandemic emergency food allotments ending, an increase of 32% in food costs, food supply chain disruptions, a reduction in federal investments for food banks and reduced access to donated foods.
The state should not wait for federal action, Kotek warned.
"Without an immediate investment, Oregon Food Bank will be forced to reduce the level of food support itprovides to its regional food banks, and local food pantries will be unable to feed Oregonians who needhelp," the letter said.
A spike in need
Susannah Morgan, CEO of the Oregon Food Bank, said the organization estimates the investment would support them until June.
It's an investment Marion Polk Food Share, one of the 21 regional food banks in the state, would benefit from. FOOD for Lane County in Eugene would also benefit.
Pre-pandemic, the Marion Polk Food Share saw 8,000 to 9,000 monthly visits, vice president of programs Ian Dixon-McDonald said. During the initial surge of COVID-19, the food bank saw a lot more people coming in — at times 15,000 visits in a month.
"In the winter of 2020, it was still really bad. That was actually our highest ever. We saw over 16,000 visits," Dixon-McDonald said.
It's a spike Morgan also spoke about. She said she has seen "the highest rate of hunger" in her 25-year career from March 2020 to now.
As federal supports kicked in, that need went down.
That support included an extra $95 a month in SNAP food benefits for all participating households, boosting benefits to an average of $450 per household each month.
The Oregon Food Bank estimates that more than 720,000 people, or one in six Oregonians, will be impacted and face a 40% reduction in benefits on average from the loss of the additional benefits.
Because SNAP benefits are added to Oregonian's accounts between the first and the ninth of the month, the Oregon Food Bank expects to see increased need later in the month after those SNAP benefits are used.
"The first line of defense against hunger is a good offense," Morgan said.
That means a job that pays a living wage, affordable housing and healthcare, she said. The next line is a strong safety net: SNAP, school meals, WIC, and unemployment assistance, she said.
"The very last resort is the food assistance system," Morgan said.
Bracing for another spike
Oregon Food Bank is starting to hear stories of longer lines and local partners like the Marion Polk Food share are "bracing" for the time ahead.
It is too early to tell the exact impact, Dixon-McDonald said, but the food bank is already experiencing pandemic peak levels again and they are anticipating the change in SNAP allotments will drive need even higher.
The Oregon Food Bank estimates 1.5 million people in the state asked for food assistance from OFB last year. That's nearly 1 in 3 Oregonians.
"They're basically back to where they were during that initial surge and a lot of this we attribute to the rising cost of household basics," Dixon-McDonald said.
Morgan said the Oregon Food Bank is in regular conversations with the state about their needs and how they change. It is not the first time they've gone to the state Legislature for assistance to ensure there's enough food to serve Oregonians in need, she said.
"We'll keep having those conversations," she said. "This gets us through this particular hump and if there's another hump following it there will be more conversations."
If the immediate funds are approved by lawmakers, members of the Oregon Food Bank would receive a portion of the funds to build their food supplies further.
The proposed $7.5 million emergency allotment for the Oregon Food Bank is set to be considered by the full Legislature later this month. It is part of the 42-page amendment to the Legislature's “budget rebalance” bill that is reviewed every two years.
How to help or get help
To find services across the state, visit the Oregon Food Bank website and its map of locations for free groceries or meals at foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org.
For assistance or to donate to the Marion-Polk Food Share, visit marionpolkfoodshare.org/get-help/ or call 503-581-3855.
For assistance or to donate to FOOD for Lane County, visit foodforlanecounty.org/.
Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on Twitter @DianneLugo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Legislature considers $7.5M for local food banks as need grows
