Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions? We may just have answers! Try the list below first, and If you don’t see an answer to your question, please feel free to call us at 503-581-3855.
Community Gardens
If you would like to have your own community garden plot, first contact the garden coordinator for your nearest community garden. A complete list of gardens and garden coordinators can be found here. The community garden coordinator can tell you if there is space available in a garden and, if so, get you ready to start growing!
You can do whatever you want with the food that you grow. Please enjoy it with your family and friends or share it with your neighbors and community. If you would like to donate your produce, you can give it to the Food Share at 1660 Salem Industrial Drive NE in Salem, or give it directly to your nearest food bank.
Donate
You can donate food at the Marion Polk Food Share warehouse at 1660 Salem Industrial Drive NE in Salem, OR from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday, or at your nearest food pantry.
We always need donations of high-protein food like canned tuna, peanut butter, and dairy. Healthy food like canned fruit and vegetables, rice, beans, and pasta are also in high demand.
Yes. You can donate fresh food and food that needs to be frozen or refrigerated, including USDA eggs and milk, directly at our warehouse weekdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m..
Yes. In addition to shelf-stable food items, we accept donations of pet food and supplies, personal hygiene products, and household items like detergent and paper towels. Donated items must be new and manufacturer sealed/labeled.
Yes! Please see the information below for our stock transfer information. If you have any questions, please contact Corrina Hawkins, Director of Donor Relations, at or 503-581-3855 and she will assist you.
Stock Transfer Information
Account Name: Marion Polk Food Share
Account number: 25F-02105
DTC Number: 8862
Marion Polk Food Share, Inc.
Tax ID Number: 94-3034161
Merrill Lynch
Larry Hyatt, Wealth Management Advisor
1255 Lee St. SE, Suite 150
Salem, OR 97302
Phone: (503) 540-4223
Fax: (503) 342-2296
Marion Polk Food Share’s tax ID number is 94-3034161
To update your monthly recurring gift, please fill out this form or contact Donor Services at 1-503-581-3855.
Emergency Food
You can receive food at Food Share pantries throughout the area or have a hot meal at your nearest meal site. Visit our Get Help page to find a pantry or meal site near you.
The food that we distribute comes from a variety of sources, including generous donations from local retail partners, farmers, processors and individuals. We receive food from the USDA and Oregon Food Bank, and we also purchase and grow some of our own food.
Are you in need? Then you are eligible to get food. Some agencies have service area boundaries and many sites use income guidelines established by USDA. These are just guidelines. Special circumstances, for example, medical bills or a recent job loss, can be taken into account. See our Get Help page to find a pantry or meal site close to you.
Many food pantries use USDA income guidelines. However, proof of income is not required. You will be asked to state that your income is below the guideline level and sign a form. If your family receives SNAP (food stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) benefits, you automatically are eligible to be served by sites that use USDA income guidelines. These are just guidelines. Special circumstances, for example, medical bills or a recent job loss, can be taken into account.
2023 USDA Income Guidelines
- Household size: 1 – Monthly income: $3,645 – Annual income: $43,740
- Household size: 2 – Monthly income: $4,930 – Annual income: $59,160
- Household size: 3 – Monthly income: $6,215 – Annual income: $74,580
- Household size: 4 – Monthly income: $7,500 – Annual income: $90,000
- Household size: 5 – Monthly income: $8,875 – Annual income: $105,420
- Household size: 6 – Monthly income: $10,070 – Annual income: $120,840
- Household size: 7 – Monthly income: $11,355 – Annual income: $136,260
- Household size: 8 – Monthly income: $12,640 – Annual income: $151,680
- Each additional person over 8 – Add $1,285 per month
Some food pantries are able to make deliveries under certain circumstances. If you are unable to leave your home to get food, please visit our Get Help page to find out which agencies are close to your home. Then call them to find out if they can help you make special arrangements to have food delivered. The Food Share also offers a Meals on Wheels program that provides home delivered meals to elderly or disabled individuals. Call 503-364-2856 to inquire about Meals on Wheels.
Different sites have different rules. Marion Polk Food Share does not enforce any limits on how often individuals can receive services. Most meal sites allow you to come whenever they are open with no restrictions. Some pantries limit your visits to once or twice a month. This is based on any given program’s food resources and the number of families it serves.
What you need to bring will depend on which site you plan to visit. Typically, meal sites don’t require you to bring anything. No site should ask you to provide proof of income or a social security number in order to receive food. ID or other documents are not required to receive food. Food box sites with a geographic boundary may ask you to bring something with your name and address on it to show that you live in their service area.
No. All sites are required to provide you with food regardless of your language, ethnic background, citizenship status or national origin.
Please call us! We hold our partner agencies to high standards and always want to hear about ways we can improve our services. We will also be able to refer you to a different site where you will be able to receive food. Call 503-581-3855 and ask for our Community Programs team.
It is especially important that you call us if you feel you have been refused service because of your race, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, military status, age, disability, ethnicity, color, creed, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation including gender identity, familial or marital status, veteran status or unfavorable discharge from the military. Marion Polk Food Share is an equal opportunity provider and our agency policies prohibit discrimination.
You can donate food at the Marion Polk Food Share warehouse at 1660 Salem Industrial Drive NE in Salem, OR from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday, or at your nearest food pantry.
We always need donations of high-protein food like canned tuna, peanut butter, and dairy. Healthy food like canned fruit and vegetables, rice, beans, and pasta are also in high demand
Yes. You can donate fresh food and food that needs to be frozen or refrigerated, including USDA eggs and milk, directly at our warehouse from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Meals on Wheels
You can pay for meals over the phone by calling the Meals on Wheels office, or by mailing a check to PO Box 8151 Salem, OR 97301. Financial assistance programs are available. Contact NorthWest Disability Services at 1-800-469-8772 to see if you are eligible for assistance like Oregon Project Independence (OPI) or Medicaid, which may cover the cost of home delivered meals. Some financial aid options are also available through Meals on Wheels. Please call 503-364-2856 for more information.
Meals on Wheels is for anyone who is not able to shop for or prepare food themselves, specifically seniors over the age of 65 and adults with disabilities.
The meals are prepared every day by a culinary team in a commercial kitchen at Center 50+ in Salem. The menu is reviewed by a registered dietician. The meals are in line with the American Diabetic & Heart Associations’ moderate guidelines, and represent about 1/3 to 1/2 of the average older adult’s daily caloric and nutritional needs.
Volunteering
Yes. We welcome and encourage children to volunteer. Youth 15 and under need to volunteer with an adult.
Of course. We love to host student and youth groups for service learning projects. The two-hour shift will include hands-on food repacking, education about hunger, and information about ways that young people can get involved.
Yes we can. However, we encourage you to contact the volunteer department to discuss any accommodations you might need so we can make sure your experience is enjoyable.
There is no need to make an ongoing commitment to volunteer. If you would like to make a regular commitment, we can always use help in Food Recovery, or with daily food pick-ups at our partner grocery outlets. Additionally, we need drivers to pick up food barrels from area businesses during the holidays and following major food drives.
Yes, we may be able to accommodate you based on shift availability. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 503-581-3855 for more information.
We require shirts with sleeves (no tank tops) and shoes with closed toes and heels for all volunteer projects. We recommend wearing clothes that are comfortable and that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. It can be cold in our warehouse, so it is a good idea to dress in layers.
You can sign up to volunteer online by clicking here.
Yes! Please contact us here.
Youth Farm
Yes! Please contact us here.
Vegetables grown at the Youth Farm are distributed through our Farm Share Rx program, and are not available for purchase.
Contact us for more information
Lobby hours:
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
NEWSLETTER
INFORMATION
©2024 Marion Polk Food Share