Oregonian: Fight Against Hunger at Oregon Food Bank gets Boost from U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici and Staff

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Five to six days a week, the Oregon Food Bank has dozens of volunteers packaging goods for its network of partner agencies. The work must be done.

When someone of note, like U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, comes in to volunteer, a lot more attention is paid to something that would normally happen without fanfare.

"Any time we have the elected [officials] here, it always brings recognition to Oregon Food Bank; it shows that this is a problem that remains in Oregon," said Myrna Jensen, media relations for the food bank. She added that 1 in 5 Oregonians face hunger. "It always amazes me how often they [the elected officials] keep coming back."

Bonamici and nine of her staff volunteered Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the food bank's regional office in Beaverton. Followed by cameras from the Beaverton Leader and Beaverton Valley Times, the team worked for about two hours alongside employees from Kaiser, Service Master Clean and individuals from the community.

"It's too easy to forget that there are many people who still don't have enough to eat, so my office [in Beaverton] actually closed this afternoon and we're all here packing food for the Oregon Food Bank," Bonamici said.

"The point is to come and help others in need, but if it draws attention to the fact that there are still people who are hungry, then that's great," she said.

Together, the 42 volunteers packaged roughly 600-700 boxes of food that would be given out to partner agencies. Since July, the Oregon Food Bank West has given out 2,777,327 pounds of food, which equal 2,314,439 meals, according to Jon Stubenvoll, Oregon Food Bank's Director of Advocacy. The statewide network feeds about 900,000 people, he said.

"Let's say we've never had food left over," Stubenvoll said. "We have many, many generous food donors... Is it enough? No."

Oregon is making progress in the fight against hunger, Stubenvoll said, but "the lingering effects of the economic recession continue to be with us."

How you can help

Stubenvoll said the Oregon Food Bank needs continued support from the community, in the form of donations and volunteers.

This time of year, the food bank has a sufficient supply of volunteers, but invites individuals and groups to sign up for 2015.

Money can be donated online, and food donations can be made year-round at food drop off location near you. Some of the Oregon Food Bank's most wanted items include:

Shelf-stable milk

Foods high in protein such as canned meats (i.e., tuna, chicken, salmon) and canned or dried beans

Foods high in nutrients, such as canned fruits and vegetables (preferably with reduced sodium and reduced sugar)

Whole-grain foods such as brown rice, whole grain cereal and whole-wheat pasta

Soups, chilies and stews (preferably with reduced sodium and reduced fat)

100 percent fruit juice (canned, plastic or boxed)

Unsaturated cooking oils

And other nutritious, "healthy-choice" foods (preferably with reduced fat, sodium and sugar)

Oregon Food Bank West is located at 1870 N.W. 173rd Ave. For more information about its services, call 503-439-6510.

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