Food for Lane county goes far beyond most food bank programs to tackle food needs from so many angles; local food barrel collections, coupons for food donations, local food distributions in various communities including senior home areas, where it is set up like a store, not a hand out feeling for the clients. The application process for client's isn't demeaning and allows the client's dignity in receiving food.
I not only donate food to them, I also have donated 'non edible food' as well, because they also run programs for recycling waste of food that cannot be given as 'food' for their population, helping out the local sanitation with recycling needs as well.
Food for Lane County truly helps those who lack funds for eating in Lane County, Oregon. In Eugene, many of the road intersections have homeless people with signs requesting help. Food For Lane County offers a free meal location on 8th Ave. across from the WOW Hall. Each year I donate $60 to Food for Lane County through Market of Choice and also donate food through the US Mail system.
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Oregon is a state with the highest percentage of people who lack finances for eating well. FOOD for Lane County does a remarkable job of helping those who don't have enough money to purchase healthy food for their families. Every month and year I support FOOD for Lane County by donating money at Market of Choice, donating bowls at their yearly fund raiser, and donated food when the post office does a food drive for FOOD for Lane County.
When we moved to Springfield in 1997 my husband and I lived 2 blocks from the Game Farm Park where Food for Lane County had a garden. It was nice to become part of the community and be allowed to assist with caretaking of the project. We assisted in gardening, building structures, giving advice on the irrigation. We have also been customers of the farm; it is amazing to see at risk kids learn skills and develop pride in what they can accomplish at the farm. Because of these experiences we continue to give to Food for Lane county.
What can I say, except food for: Lane County is about more than distributing food. I can remember a very low period in my life when Food For Lane County played a major part in pulling me out of that dark place. And I have watched them do the same for many others.
Food for Lane County has fed the hungry and always needs more non-perishable items. I have even been a receiver of their gifts of food boxes. If they weren't around, thousands of adults, kids and families would go hungry. I try to donate when I can. I can not explain what a blessing it is to have them around. And the volunteers who work there are special people who care for others and give of their time. There have even been school kids volunteering there and earning credits for community service. I think they are the strongest organization in the Eugene area who is very worthy of donations of funds and food. God bless Food for Lane County!
This organization is the bedrock of giving and continually comes up with creative ways to involve all ages and interests of out community. It inspires me to not only give to it, but also become aware and give to other organizations that are making positive steps towards sustaining and growing a better world.
Food For Lane County is a tremendous asset to our our community. When I think of the work they do, I always remember my great, great, great grandfather, William D. Stillwell, who moved to Oregon in 1845 and was very charitable to the folks at Skinner's mud hole (Eugene) who had no food. Below is a brief excerpt from "History of the Northwest, Volume II", page 586: "In the winter of 1846 quite a number of emigrants who came by the southern route barely got into the Willamette valley until their teams gave out; and they themselves were so worn out and ill they could not come over to the settlements, and in many cases were suffering for food. The settlers at North Yamhill contributed ten pack-loads of provisions; and Mr. Stillwell and a son of Chicamen Smith volunteered to take it and distribute it to those who were actually suffering, without pay. "They started in December, a time when all the streams were swollen out of their banks; and not one of them but the Lacrosse did they succeed in fording, having to pack their cargo over on foot logs, or ferry them across on rafts or in canoes, and swim their horses. Sometimes they would not be able to proceed more than a mile or two in a whole day's travel. When they came to the Long Tom, they found a man and his family camping where his team had given out; and they were not able to move on. He told Mr. Stillwell they had had nothing to eat for two days. In reply he said; "You are the kind of people we are looking for. Bring something to carry it in, and I will give you something to eat." After being supplied with flour and meal enough to last them several days, the poor man actually cried, as the relief came so unexpectedly; and he could not pay for it. He had started his son off to the settlements that very morning with the last dollar he had in the world, but promised to pay as soon as he was able. "Never mind," said Mr. Stillwell, "this is for those who have nothing to eat, and nothing to buy it with." "After crossing the stream, they met a company of ten wagons, who still had two or three days' provisions, but were eager to secure all Mr. Stillwell had. Of course he would not sell to them; and they drew their guns and talked of taking the cargo by force. Young Smith kept driving the packed animals along; and he and Mr. Stillwell both cocked their guns, which caused the emigrants to change their minds. So they passed on, making only two or three miles a day, until they reached the spot where Eugene City now stands. After distributing their cargo among the needy, they took the women and children of two families on their pack-horses, the men and boys all walking and started back to the settlements. When they reached Sap creek their provisions were gone; but a party had brought some wheat for seed, which he let them have; and they hailed it for supper and breakfast, but began eating it as soon as it was hailed. They relished it without salt or anything else with it."
I've worked for several of the FFLC food pantries as a volunteer for the Nutrition Education Program through Lane County Extension, and have helped publicize their food drives and programming on my food blog, Culinaria Eugenius. I have never seen such a tremendously resourceful organization -- they do so much for the hungry in Lane County and could do much more with more resources. To take just one example, the Grass Roots Garden, run by FFLC to provide organic produce for food pantries, and other volunteer/ youth farms work together to improve the nutritional content provided to low-income residents. I believe the number was 140,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables last year. I've participated in activities at the Grass Roots Garden as a Master Gardener, and I'm always amazed by the tight ship they run, dramatically productive even with a team of at-risk youth volunteers. The GRG collects leaves from the city, food scraps, and paper from local businesses and turns it into compost. It serves the community in so many ways!
FOOD for Lane County is truly a GREAT nonprofit! Volunteering with the agency, I always felt welcome and appreciated. The staff is fantastic and the mission of the organization is so important for our community
Food For Lane County is a vital part of our community. The things they do for people are unmeasurable. On top of that, volunteers and generous citizens who donate are what make this amazing organization thrive so well.
FOOD For Lane County does really important work for this community. I often talk to people that live around here that seem really supportive of the mission and are aware FFLC's accomplishments. As a volunteer, I feel like I'm making a contribution to the big picture. And it feels like the staff appreciates the efforts of the volunteers.
This non-profit is based on respect, both of the recipients as individuals, and of the member agencies who work in their own communities. Striving to be both accountable and responsive this non-profit is a model of fiscal planning and creative outreach that both educates and reaches those whom we are here to serve. The staff are motivated and dedicated to our mission.