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Marion Polk Food Share seeks drivers during quarantine

A volunteer packs food boxes at the Iskam MǝkʰMǝk-Haws food pantry in Grand Ronde.

Marion Polk Food Share is continuing to provide its services, despite a huge increase in demand. The Food Share works to collect and distribute nutritious food to more than 100 partner programs, including food pantries, meal sites, and home-delivered meals. What people might not know is that they also help people understand the root causes of  their food insecurity by assisting with vocational training, nutrition education and community gardens.

According to MPFS Vice President of Donor Relations Julie Hambuchen, In the last two weeks, 80% of their partner food pantries had increased client visits with a third of those registering a 50% increase. The need for food assistance is expected to grow as the crisis continues and more people lose their sources of income. 

Most food pantries in Marion and Polk counties are staying open to handle this increase in demand. However, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, they are adjusting distribution methods to keep people safe.  They’re doing this by serving pre-packed food boxes, delivering to cars, serving in parking lots, and implementing other social distancing practices. In addition, MPFS has temporarily suspended acceptance of food donations and will no longer allow warehouse volunteers to ensure sanitation standards are met.

The demand for Meals on Wheels has doubled in the last two weeks. Thankfully, more than 100 people have volunteered to be new Meals on Wheels drivers. They have been holding frequent new driver training, in groups of 10 or less. Current drivers are knocking on doors, making visual contact, and then leaving meals outside to minimize the risk for everyone, but they’re still delivering more than 500 meals each day.

Needs for the Food Share now:

MPFS needs volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels. You can sign up at www.marionpolkfoodshare.org/mealsonwheels. They will contact you when a training session is available.

People can make cash donations: 

Marion Polk Food Share, 1660 Salem Industrial Dr. N.E.

Donate online: www.marionpolkfoodshare.org

Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional writing regularly for Salem Reporter.  During the quarantine, she will be connecting with Salem nonprofits. Tell her about your nonprofit needs at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook.