Households with children are the largest group served. Four million emergency meals were served at soup kitchens and shelters.

Oregon Food Bank could not distribute the 57.8 million pounds of food without the help of volunteers. Volunteers donated 74,500 hours which is the equivalent of 36 full-time employees with an estimated value to Oregon Food Bank of $1.2 million.

Most pantries serve a specific geographic area and limit the number of times a family can receive help. A majority of households served turn to pantires only one to three times a year.

The most recent USDA statistics, ranking Oregon as third worst in the country for "very low food insecurity" are very distressing, but not altogether surprising given the significant increase we saw in emergency food requests in 2007-08. One person alone cant solve the problem of "very low food insecurity." We can only fight hunger by working together. While tough economic times affect us all, our low-income neighbors are hardest hit.

OFB anticipated the growing demand and has made some large bulk food purchases that are being repacked by thousands of volunteers. Oregon Food Bank recovers food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources. It then delivers that food to 20 regional food banks ocovering OFB's service area. Regional food banks distribute this food and additional resources from local donations to nonprofit programs serving low-income people in their communities.

As the recession continues, we anticipate the need for food assistance will climb for months to come. Volunteers repackage all types of food including fresh fruit and produce.

Food Industry donations comprise over 50% of our supply. Volunteers sort product, preparing it for distribution to the 20 regional food banks in Oregon.

Oregon Food Bank is a national model for food banking. We are efficient, with 5% of our budget going to adminstrative costs. Food is distributed equitably throughout the state using factors such as need and population figuring into the formula.

Oregon is a very organic state. Children who know kids who are served by Oregon Food Bank want to help. They donate money, organize food drives and volunteer in OFB's Maybelle Clark Macdonald Volunteer Action Center.

Photo from Progress Report 'Thank you!'

Photo from Progress Report 'OFB Network distributes unprecendented levels of emergency food'