With support from a 2026 Community Impact Grant, Marion Polk Food Share will strengthen its food distribution efforts as the need for food assistance continues to grow.

Since the pandemic, visits to local food pantries have increased by 60%. At the same time, reductions in federal programs have left many in our community in need of food assistance and significantly decreased the supply of federally provided food. Marion Polk Food Share currently supports an average of 62,000 individuals each month, including 20,000 children, making reliable food sourcing more critical than ever.

This project focuses on increasing donated food and ensuring it is distributed equitably throughout Marion and Polk counties. The Food Resource Team will build new partnerships with large distributors, expand retail food pickups, and purchase key food items to help replace recent losses. In 2026, the team aims to source and distribute more than 5.4 million pounds of donated food.

Access to food plays an important role in both housing stability and mental health. When families can rely on food assistance, they can direct limited income toward rent and other essential needs, reducing stress and supporting overall well-being.

“Here at Marion Polk Food Share we know that housing, health care, and groceries are the three-legged stool of costs families are balancing as they try to make ends meet every month. When there are cuts to supportive programs, families struggle with the balancing act,” said Rick Gaupo, President and CEO of Marion Polk Food Share. “The 2026 Community Impact Grant is crucial to the Food Share’s work in shortening the distance between families and food on the table, and we thank Willamette Health Council for supporting food access in this community.”

Through this investment, Marion Polk Food Share will continue working to ensure families across both rural and urban communities have access to nutritious food when they need it most.

To learn more about this and other Community Impact Grant projects, visit willamettehealthcouncil.org/funding-opportunities/past-grant-awards/.