Not one child, not one family should ever go hungry in Keizer.
But the fact is that one in five people here the community count on federal help to cover their grocery bills, according to state figures.
That comes primarily through SNAP – the Supplemental Nutrition Action Program.
The fate of that benefit remains unclear. Through quick thinking by state officials, people in Keizer and elsewhere in the state got their November allotments.
What hapens with the federal program now is unclear, but it’s evident that even if the benefits flow, people in our community need help.
That’s why Keizertimes is launching “Let’s Feed Keizer.”
The goal is to round up food and cash for the overwhelmed Keizer Community Food Bank.
I’m challenging residents, businesses and groups to join us to be sure no one arrives at the food pantry only to read: “Sorry – No More Food.”
The food pantry is a registered nonprofit, supported by local churches and run by volunteers. Three times in recent days, the volunteers had to put out the “No More Food” sign – turning away people in need.
At Keizertimes, we’re determined to see that sign retired.
Here’s how you can help – please act in the next few days.
DONATE FOOD
When you go shopping, pick up some extra nonperishables. Or even make a special shopping trip. Food pantries recommend these items to get:
Canned tuna or chicken
Peanut butter
Oats or cereal
Shelf-stable fruit (like canned or in pouches)
Shelf-stable milk
Canned vegetables
Pasta and sauce
Rice (1- and 2-pound bags)
Canned beans
WHERE TO DELIVER:
Drop off your donations in Keizer during business hours at:
Uptown Music, 3827 River Rd N.
Bi-Mart, 3862 River Rd N.
Columbia Bank, 4260 River Rd N.
Copper Creek Mercantile, 4415 River Rd N.
Keizer Elks Lodge, 4250 Cherry Ave. N.E.
Keizer Community Library, 980 Chemawa Rd. N.E.
Keizer Fire District, 661 Chemawa Rd. N.E.
Keizertimes, 142 Chemawa Rd. N.
Willamette Valley Bank, 5140 River Rd. N.
Key Bank, 2680 Jorie Lane N.E. (Keizer Station)
Take your donations to the food bank, located at Crossroads Fellowship, 4505 River Rd. N. near Cummings Lane.
Hours for drop offs: Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, noon- 2 p.m.
DONATE MONEY
Contribute online: keizercommunityfoodbank.org
Mail: Keizer Community Food Bank, 4505 River Rd. N, Keizer, OR 97303
SPREAD THE WORD
•Let your family and friends know of this urgent need for help
•Involve your business, club or other organization
•Print out the “Let’s Feed Keizer” image and post it online and elsewhere.
Remember that SNAP provides at most one-third of a family’s grocery needs. Join us in this urgent rally – nearly 8,000 people need our help and they need it now.
The team at Keizertimes donated $250 to this cause. Who wants to meet our challenge?
–Les Zaitz, editor and publisher ([email protected])
