» Group brings hunger in focus

By Amy Moss Strong
Editor
Monday, June 23, 2008 | No comments posted. Hunger: It’s a problem that is always present.

But in economically difficult times, the need is especially pressing. South Coast food banks report bare shelves each month, and the requests for food have increased.

In order to make the public more aware of the hunger problem along the Southern Oregon Coast, Oregon Coast Community Action has declared June 21 to 29 Hunger Awareness week.

And Bandon residents have already sprung into action.

Bandon’s City Council showed the city’s recognition and support at its last council meeting by issuing a proclamation received by Oregon Coast Community Action’s board chairwoman, Darcy Grahek.

In addition, the Democratic Party of Coos County will hold food collection drives in Bandon, Coquille and North Bend on Saturday. Members of the group will be in front of Ray’s Food Place in the Bandon Shopping Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All food collected in Bandon will stay in Bandon and be donated to the Bandon Good Neighbors food bank, according to Barbara Dodrill, who will be helping with the event. The most needed items are soups, stews, tuna fish, chili, canned fruit and vegetables, beans, rice and pasta and other nonperishable foods. Glass items, home canned items or anything previously opened cannot be accepted. For more information on the Bandon food drive, call Dodrill at 347-2071.

Community Action has been working to address the need of hunger and food insecurity on the South Coast for more than 43 years, Grahek told the City Council at its meeting. Two of their programs that assist people facing hunger and food insecurity issues are South Coast Food Share and the Share Bear Snack Pack Program.

South Coast Food Share operates as part of the Oregon Food Bank network, distributing food through 32 food pantries and meal sites from North Bend to Brookings. More than a million pounds of food is distributed every year to more than 5,000 individuals, about 1,500 of them are children.

The Share Bear Snack Pack Program currently operates in three schools in Coos Bay, North Bend and Reedsport, distributing food-filled backpacks every Friday. The foods are nutritious snacks and easily prepared meals that go to specific children in need, chosen by school staff. The back packs are returned on Monday to be reused the next Friday. Currently 150 children are being served with requests for expansion of the program coming from other schools.

Other ways to help are to make a donation to South Coast Food Share or the Snack Pack Program or volunteer to help pack food boxes or backpacks.

Other activities scheduled in the county throughout the week include cooking and canning classes, nutrition, hunger and food insecurity talks, live music fundraisers, children and family activities, food drives and a showing of the documentary “The Future of Food,” with most events offered free. “It’s not always easy to see how many people in our community are struggling with hunger, as so few of the truly vulnerable in our community are standing on street corners. Many of the people who access our South Coast Food Share program, the regional food bank for the South Coast through Oregon Food Bank, are working full time or living on a fixed income,” said Mary Schoen-Clark, CEO of Oregon Coast Community Action. South Coast Hunger Awareness week is a chance for the region to understand more on food insecurity and how the community can help Oregon Coast Community Action fight hunger.”

“Join Community Action in recognition of those in our communities fighting against hunger every day and support South Coast Hunger Awareness week by participating in any of the events in your area, donate food or funds, or volunteer to help make sure those in need in our community are getting the food and service they need,” Schoen-Clark added.

For information about Community Action’s food and other programs, those interested can call 888-7108 or visit the Web site at http://www.orcca.us.