Oregon Food Bank Releases 2008 Voices Report

Oregonians share their stories as hunger continues year-round.

Courtesy: airmiles.files.wordpress.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - "It's either buy food or take your medicine. It's a real hard choice."

"There are times when you have to choose between milk and diapers."

Those are just two comments from Oregon Food Bank's 2008 Voices report, released today. The annual report summarizes focus-group feedback from emergency food recipients around Oregon.

"With the high cost of food, utilities and rising unemployment, more of our neighbors are struggling with hunger," said Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. "I ask Oregonians everywhere to join together to listen to the voices of our most vulnerable neighbors and to do what you can to help fight hunger and its root causes."

OFB conducts its annual Voices project to engage people who receive food assistance in conversations about their everyday experience with hunger. The Voices project helps OFB gain insight into who is hungry and how to best address the root causes of hunger. Voices participants share their stories to help Oregonians understand the lives of those who struggle with hunger.

This year, the roundtable discussions took place at food pantries in five Oregon communities: Gaston, Madras, Sweet Home, Riddle and Langlois. Participants explained the challenges they face as they stretch their budgets to put food on the table. They discussed rising unemployment, the high cost of housing and gas and the lack of affordable medical care among other factors that contribute to food insecurity.

The Voices report shows that many parents work hard to shield their children from the negative effects of hunger. One mother from Madras described a household ritual with her daughter involving two simple ingredients: crackers and jelly. Although she is struggling to afford nutritious meals, serving crackers with jelly is fun for her daughter and helps her feel, in her words, "Like we have a million dollars."

"These Oregonians have been feeling the economic downturn long before Wall Street plummeted," said Rachel Bristol, executive director and CEO of Oregon Food Bank.

"We believe we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. As the recession continues, we anticipate the need for food assistance will climb for months to come. In these troubled times, we need everyone to do whatever they can to help their neighbors in need … because no one should be hungry."

• Visit oregonfoodbank.org to download a copy of Voices 2008. Read what your neighbors in need are saying and work for public policies to help fight the root causes of hunger.

• Donate funds, food or time online at oregonfoodbank.org. Cash contributions are especially important. OFB is purchasing food by the truckload as demand outstrips its food supply. Financial support also helps OFB with increasing transportation costs and packaging supplies for bulk foods being packed by thousands of volunteers

• Find the regional food bank or food pantry nearest you and volunteer.