With food insecurity showing no signs of easing in the Philomath area, organizers of the March on Hunger food drive are gearing up for the event’s second year — and they’re hoping to build on last year’s successful debut.
The food drive benefits Philomath Community Services, which operates Nancy’s Food Pantry and Philomath Community Gleaners. The inaugural drive last March drew about 120 volunteers and collected over 2.5 tons of food. Co-organizer Teresa Nielson hopes the event can bring in three tons this year.
“The numbers that we’re serving in our food pantry and our gleaners are not decreasing,” Nielson said. “So the need for food donations and the prevalence of food insecurity is definitely relevant and important for us as a community to do what we can to pitch in and help those that are struggling at this time.”
Nancy’s Food Pantry serves more than 500 people per month, Nielson said, adding that up to half of that number are believed to be helping feed children under the age of 18. The reach of PCS extends well beyond Philomath’s city limits.
“We have people from all over the valley, especially those in rural areas — Summit, Blodgett, Wren and Kings Valley, some from Monroe, some from Corvallis,” Nielson said.
The effort spans two consecutive weekends. This Saturday, March 7, volunteers will gather at 9 a.m. at Philomath City Hall for an organizational meeting and to distribute doorknob flyers to the estimated 2,200 households within Philomath. The critical work comes the following Saturday, March 14, when volunteers will collect food and transport it to Philomath Community Church to be sorted and boxed.
“Picking up the groceries and bringing them to the church to be boxed up and prepared for PCS — that’s what the 14th is all about,” Nielson said.
Groups including 4-H and church organizations have already signed up to help, but more volunteers are needed for both days (click here to sign up as a volunteer).
Among the most-wanted donation items are canned meat, canned fish, condiments, canned entrees, boxed entrees, ready-to-eat soups, dessert and baking mixes, jams, jellies and syrups, feminine hygiene products, laundry soap and personal care items. Organizers ask that donors avoid perishables, institutional sizes, home-canned foods, items without original labels, previously opened packages and bulk-sized items.
Those who live outside of the city limits can drop off donations at Philomath City Hall during regular business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cash donations are also accepted through the PCS website.
For Nielson, who has been involved with PCS in some capacity for more than 20 years, the drive carries a personal dimension. Growing up as the youngest of seven children after losing her father at age 10, she remembers the financial struggles her family faced.
“There were a lot of slim times that I can remember in our home of trying to make ends meet and my mom trying to meet all those financial responsibilities of a large family,” she said. “It really instilled in me a desire to help others that may suffer with food insecurity or whatever struggles they may have.”
Organizers are hoping that the community responds to those in need.
“I think there’s a responsibility we have to help each other when we can and to be of service and be compassionate and caring as people struggle through the realities of low income and food insecurity and making their rent or paying utilities.”
For more information or to volunteer, email philomathfooddrive@gmail.com.
