East County Food Pantry hosts fundraiser in Fairview

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) – As part of Fox 12’s Hunger Free Project in partnership with Fred Meyer to feed families in the community, the East County Food Pantry in Fairview provides food every Saturday at Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church.

But this year, things will look a little different. For the first time this year, the pantry is hosting a 5K fundraiser called “Walk For Your Neighbor” on Labor Day, September 2, 2024. It will be held at Fairview Community Park and is open to all ages.

“Bringing the whole community together to run side by side for and support your neighbor may only bring in money, but they long for their community. We take care of each other,” says Reverend Dr. Brad Busiek.

SEE ALSO:

The fundraiser came after the pantry saw a significant increase in the need for food. The pantry purchases approximately $12,000 worth of food from the Oregon Food Bank. According to pantry records, the number of people receiving food has increased by over 30% in the last two years. The pantry now serves 3,000 people per month.

“After COVID, additional subsidies are running out, they have to make ends meet and inflation is a little higher,” Marge said.

Marge, another volunteer, has been visiting the pantry every week since December 2023 and says having access to the pantry has changed her life.

SEE ALSO:

“It helped me tremendously. I’m retired. I have a limited income,” Marge said. “It was very hard. I didn’t have all the means to get what I needed for rent, and money was limited, so there wasn’t much left to buy food and groceries.”

The pantry is open every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is located at Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church on 223rd Street in Fairview.

For more information, visit the Easty County Food Pantry website.

All rights reserved.