Local organization, NeighborImpact, which operates the regional food bank for Central Oregon, revealed a record-breaking rise in demand for food across the region, leading to concerns around heightened food insecurity.
After collecting data, the organization revealed on April 16 that it served an average of 83,000 individuals per month in its most recent quarter – the highest number in the history of the food bank. The rise translates to a 13.7 percent increase from the previous quarter, in which the organization served 73,000 individuals.
NeighborImpact distributes more than 6 million pounds of food through 57 partner agencies across Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties, along with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Due to a consistent rise in the number of individuals it serves, the organization opened its new food bank in January to accommodate growth. The new 100,000-square-foot warehouse in Redmond offers more space for NeighborImpact to store food supplies.
Despite its recent milestone, federal decisions are now impacting the food bank’s ability to keep up with increased demand.
In early April, NeighborImpact reported a 17 percent drop in federal food supply as a result of federal funding freezes. According to Executive Director, Scott Cooper, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut distribution to food assistance programs, leading to a significant decrease in food aid.
These significant cuts to incoming food products, Cooper said, could result in thousands of people not being fed, or not getting enough food. The funding freeze is also impacting the type of food given to food banks, including dairy, meat, eggs and produce.
Following the federal actions, local lawmakers, like Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, are calling for the government to reverse the freeze.
While Cooper says the organization is currently managing the reduced allocation of food, he worries about the future.
“If unemployment rises or if the cost of food rises more, due to tariffs or other economic policies or if rumored cuts of 30 percent to SNAP benefits are enacted or the enhancements to SNAP benefits implemented in 2021 are reversed, that would drive even more people into food banks,” Cooper wrote in a press release.
Without federal partnership, Cooper says the organization cannot keep pace with the growing need. Moving forward, the organization is calling for community support, in the form of donations, and encouraging people to contact their elected representative to demand action.
This article appears in Source Weekly April 10, 2025.
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Ain’t Merica grand? Richest country in the world. 2nd highest poverty rate. People dying with no health coverage. Only going to get worse with our new Oligarchy.
Yes I love this country. Yes I fought for it. So, spare me the ‘if you don’t like it get out’ diatribe.