Several residents at Holiday Hidden Lakes Senior Living aren’t slowing down in their retirement. Instead, they stay active and engaged by volunteering every week at Marion Polk Food Share’s warehouse, sorting and repacking food for our neighbors facing hunger. Maureen, also known as “Mo,” is a Holiday Hidden Lakes resident who has dedicated much of…
Sharon doesn’t give up on people. Once you’re in her orbit, you’ve got a loyal friend for life. A longtime Salem resident, Sharon started volunteering as a Meals on Wheels driver during the COVID-19 pandemic when the need for delivered meals was at an all-time high. “I’ve been delivering the same route [in Northeast Salem]…
Misti has worked hard to build a stable life and home for herself and her sons. She’s not taking anything for granted because, not that long ago, she was in a very different place. “I came from a domestic-violence marriage, and that’s how I started out with me and the boys on our own,” she…
Welcome to the Fall 2025 edition of Harvester. As I read through the stories in this issue and look ahead to Thanksgiving, one word keeps going through my mind: Gratitude. I’m forever grateful for people like you who support Marion Polk Food Share. Without you, the work of helping our neighbors facing hunger just wouldn’t…
Ashley loves to cook. She watches cooking shows in her free time and dreams up different recipes. However, after being diagnosed with a serious seizure condition that left her unable to drive safely, grocery shopping for fresh produce was set on the back burner. That’s where the Farm Share Rx program — and friends like…
Holiday meals often create core memories that spark joy throughout our lives. This is true for Kristy, her husband, and their two children, who love spending time together cooking and sharing meals. “Sharing food is just something that we love to do, and we love the style where you are literally passing it around the…
In the heart of West Salem, a community garden buzzes with activity. It’s a place where folks from all walks of life come together to cultivate so much more than plants. Under the guidance of Millyellen, a dedicated volunteer community leader, the garden has blossomed into a place of learning and camaraderie. “I love having…
Welcome to the Summer 2025 edition of Harvester, through which we continue to celebrate the remarkable resilience and spirit that define our work together. In this issue, we’re thrilled to share three inspiring stories of neighbors who all have one thing in common: a strong sense of community. Each story is a unique testament to…
Robert was caught between a rock and a hard place. He’d come to depend on the Jason Lee Food Bank for many years — but one day, its doors closed for good. Robert thought he’d have to start his search for a food bank back at square one. Then, a friend suggested he visit Feed…
At first, Toni was inspired to join Meals on Wheels as a volunteer because of her familial ties to the cause. “My husband’s grandmother used to deliver Meals on Wheels in Silverton,” Toni said. “And my mom received meals. So, it was always meaningful, knowing the community it served.” But now, after three years of…
