Nearly 13,000 people in Benton County, about 13% of the total population, get SNAP food benefits through the Oregon Department of Human Services. This includes more than 2,600 children and 1,100 older adults. But, with America’s government being all great again, they’re in the middle of a shutdown, and they have stopped funding the SNAP program.
So, now the City of Corvallis is trying to help folks in need by collecting food, and the County is publishing lists of how to get food.
Here’s what they’re doing. Most City of Corvallis facilities are hosting drop boxes for food donations, to help support the Corvallis community following the expiration of most federal food assistance benefits.
The drop boxes are in most City facilities and will be available for drop-offs during regular business hours. Those facilities include:
Corvallis-Benton County Public Library (All Branches), hours available online
City Hall Main Lobby, 501 SW Madison Ave., hours, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
Osborn Aquatic Center, 1940 NW Highland Dr., hours, Monday – Friday 5:30 am – 7 pm, Saturday 8 am – 12 pm
C3 (Corvallis Community Center), 2601 NW Tyler Ave., hours, Monday – Thursday 8 am – 7 pm, Friday 8 am – 5 pm, Saturday 8 am – 11 am
Downtown Fire Station, 400 NW Harrison Blvd., hours, Monday – Thursday 8 am – 3 pm, Fridays 8 am – 1 pm
Food collected at the drop sites will be delivered to Linn Benton Food Share for distribution throughout their service area. Providers can accept non-perishable food such as canned proteins, rice, pasta, peanut butter, and such; as well as hygiene products.
Items in glass containers are prohibited. Providers cannot accept gift cards, perishable food, homemade food, as well as open or expired items.
Linn Benton Food Share can also accept online donations through their website.
The City will continue to operate these drop-off sites for community members to donate to local food bank efforts until federal food assistance benefits are restored.
Locally, the City provides $480,000 in social service funding to area nonprofits, including food assistance providers. That funding is not affected by the current lapse in federal spending and continues to be deployed to support the local community.
Also, Benton County has published the following lists.
Where to find food in Benton County
- Visit Community Services Consortium’s (CSC) website for a list of food pantries and meal sites in Benton and Linn Counties.
- Visit the ODHS Food Resources webpage to find local programs and food support.
- Use the Oregon Food Bank food finder tool to find food help near you.
- Contact 211info by dialing 2-1-1, texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or visiting 211info.org.
- Older adults and people with disabilities: Call the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) at 1-855-673-2372 or visit ocwcog.org/seniors-disability/adrc for help finding local resources.
For people getting SNAP benefits, ODHS recommends
- Check your EBT card balance often.
- Keep following SNAP rules and reporting requirements.
- Stay informed by following ODHS communication updates. Subscribe here: ODHS communication channels.
- Sign up for an ONE Online account and download the Oregon ONE Mobile app at benefits.oregon.gov to get updates about your SNAP case.
How to help feed our community
- Donate nonperishable food at one of the local food banks listed here. There are food banks in Adair Village, Albany, Alsea, Blodgett, Corvallis, Monroe and Philomath.
- Donate funds to Linn Benton Food Share to provide the equivalent of six meals for every dollar donated.
- Volunteer at a food bank or meal site. There are many volunteer opportunities at local soup kitchens and food pantries. In addition, Linn Benton Food Share needs volunteers to repackage food, glean surplus food from farmers and grocers, host or participate in a food drive/fundraiser, help with special events and more.
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