WCS Food Bank is a local branch of the Oregon Food Bank. Under the leadership of Leigh Crosby, Wilsonville’s branch has won the highest of commendations from the state and has become a model of what a food center should be: efficient, effective, clean & organized, respectful of client privacy, and committed to confidential interviews with applicants to determine additional challenges they may face in their lives, issues which, with client permission, are then shared with Information and Referral Specialist Lani Snyder for possible assistance. Theirs is truly a team effort.

In 2007, 1952 households representing 7,680 individuals were served by the WCS Food Bank. Donated food amounted to 63,398 pounds for the year.

Most people understand the concept of a food bank: government, local businesses, farms and individuals donate excess food items to feed the hungry.

So where does WCS get its food donations? And is it really “free?”

Each week, a volunteer must travel to the Oregon Food Bank to obtain that week’s ration of food items. In some cases, choices can be made as to which foods are needed by a particular branch at a given time. At other times, WCS returns with whatever foods are available. (Canned alligator meat, anyone?)

These circumstances raise some issues which cost money. One is wear, repair and gasoline for a delivery vehicle. Another is the need to replenish foods or paper products needed at Wilsonville, but not immediately available from the warehouse and which must therefore be purchased locally. A third is recognition that not many people will eat alligator meat in this part of the country, for example, and that something must be purchased as a nutritional substitute.

The other challenge is that all participating food bank outlets and soup kitchens pay about ten cents per pound of food to the Oregon Food Bank to help them defray their own shipping and stocking costs. It’s still a bargain, of course, but it is a cash expense.

You can help WCS by contributing foods from the list below, but you can also help by sending money to WCS. A check for $25--the price of a family fast food meal--would pay for 250 pounds of food to feed the community hungry.

Keep in mind, too, that not all residents have cooking facilities. Sometimes, in fact, families will camp out in summer to save on paying rent, then obtain new housing in the fall. The next time you place an order at a local fast food restaurant, consider adding $5.00 in gift certificates to your order as part of our “Room for One More” campaign. Certificates can be dropped off in any amount to Wilsonville Community Sharing at Frog Pond Church, or mailed to P.O. Box 205 in Wilsonville.

Food suggestions: Canned meats or fish; boxed and canned meals; cereal, both hot and cold; chili; soups & stews; fruits & vegetables. 

Paper/cleaning products: Toilet tissue; paper towels;  feminine hygiene supplies;  bar soap; laundry or dishwashing soap.

Hygiene products: Toothpaste and  shampoo; conditioner; deodorant,

SUGGESTED FOODS FOR MEMBERS OF OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY:

Fruits, either delivered fresh on Tuesdays or canned/frozen: bananas, mangoes, strawberries, cantaloupe, oranges, apples, watermelon, pears, plums, cherries, nectarines, peaches, grapes.

Staples: eggs, milk, coffee, cheese, corn tortillas.

Meats: ground beef, chicken (whole or pieces), bacon, shredded beef.

Grains: maseca (instant corn masa mix), pinto beans, lentils.

Pantry: cereal, Jell-O, sugar, oil, salt, pepper.

Pasta: wheels, stars, elbows, alphabet, seeds, seashells

Vegetables: tomatoes, tomatillos, zucchini, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, onion, garlic, cucumbers, hot peppers.

If in doubt about a donation, don’t hesitate to call 503-682-6939 and we’ll be glad to let you know what we need! The food bank is open for deliveries Tuesdays 9:30am-12:30PM 6750 SW Boeckman Rd. in Wilsonville. The Meridian United Church of Christ (aka Frog Pond Church