Letter from the President Summer 2026
Welcome to the Summer 2026 edition of Harvester, where we continue to celebrate the community spirit that defines our work together.…
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These Youth Farmers Get Ready to Sprout
Rain or shine, the Food Share’s Youth Farmers used their spring break to get ready for another productive summer season.…
From a Baby Carrier Backpack… to Giving Back!
For Tillie, volunteerism runs in the family. In 2016, Tillie’s mom, Heather, volunteered at the Food Share’s warehouse, repacking beans…
Penny Finds a Decade’s Worth of Community at Iskam
Thanks to your incredible generosity, Grand Ronde community members like Penny can find nutritious food and community connection at the…
Letter from the President Spring 2026
Welcome to the Spring 2026 edition of Harvester. This season, we’re highlighting stories about community connections and healthy food. You’ve already…
Serving Abundance and Community in Silverton
Eight years in the making, there’s a new home for one of the Food Share’s partner pantries, Silverton Area Community…
These Best Friends Find Purpose and Community Through Volunteering
On a sunny day in Grand Ronde, volunteers Chris and Mike unpack fresh produce for families in need. They trade…
You Gave Wanda a Fresh Start
Wanda was ecstatic when her oldest daughter returned to their hometown after a long stint in Tennessee. Now her daughter…
Letter from the President Winter 2026
Food insecurity rates have hit a 10-year high, and that means a growing number of neighbors are facing hunger. Recent…
From Guest to Giving Back
For most of his life, Kent made Tacoma his home base. But when his great aunt became unwell, he decided…
Nurturing a New Generation of Volunteers
Several residents at Holiday Hidden Lakes Senior Living aren’t slowing down in their retirement. Instead, they stay active and engaged…
Sharon Goes the Extra Mile to Deliver Food and Friendship
Sharon doesn’t give up on people. Once you’re in her orbit, you’ve got a loyal friend for life. A longtime…
During Her Darkest Days, You Gave Misti Hope
Misti has worked hard to build a stable life and home for herself and her sons. She’s not taking anything…
Letter from the President Fall 2025
Welcome to the Fall 2025 edition of Harvester. As I read through the stories in this issue and look ahead…
Farm Share Rx Program Delivers Produce and Delicious Inspiration
Ashley loves to cook. She watches cooking shows in her free time and dreams up different recipes. However, after being…
There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays
Holiday meals often create core memories that spark joy throughout our lives. This is true for Kristy, her husband, and…
Mobile Pantry Program Shortens the Distance Between Families and Food
Your generosity makes it possible for children, families, and seniors to receive the essential food they need to work, learn…
Cultivating Crops and Kindness
In the heart of West Salem, a community garden buzzes with activity. It’s a place where folks from all walks…
Letter from the President Summer 2025
Welcome to the Summer 2025 edition of Harvester, through which we continue to celebrate the remarkable resilience and spirit that…
Robert Found Food, Community, and a Sense of Belonging at Feed Salem
Robert was caught between a rock and a hard place. He’d come to depend on the Jason Lee Food Bank…
These Wheels Keep on Turning
At first, Toni was inspired to join Meals on Wheels as a volunteer because of her familial ties to the…
Supporting our neighbors at AWARE Food Bank
In addition to providing nutritious food, your support makes it possible for our partner food pantries to connect clients with…
Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Grand Ronde
Every day, your generosity makes it possible for families to share meals, gardens to flourish, and people in all parts…
Nourishing Connections: Mary Ann and the Capital Park Food Pantry
There are two reasons why Mary Ann is so grateful for the Capital Park Food Pantry. First, it’s the only…
Three Years of Growth: Valerie and Our Farm Share RX Program
As we welcome the vibrant colors of the season, we also celebrate the remarkable positive impact of our Farm Share…
From Mail Routes to Meal Routes
Bob, who retired from the post office, found a new purpose after hanging up his mailbag. “I was looking for…
Letter from the President Spring 2025
Dear Friend, Welcome to the Spring 2025 edition of Harvester. This season, we highlight stories about community connections and healthy…
Chefs’ Night Out Partner Feature: Parra Wine Co.
Long before Sam Parra established Parra Wine Co., he grew up in wine country: Napa Valley. His parents, who came…
Tastier than Ever: Chefs’ Night Out Returns for 25th Anniversary
Chefs’ Night Out began 25 years ago, and its local impact has continued since the beginning. Organized by Marion Polk…
The Ripple Effects of Kindness
Meet Kathy, who just visited a Marion Polk Food Share pantry for the first time. Struggling with both the impact…
Navigating Life’s Highways
Brant’s aging Ford Ranger symbolizes the financial pressures many face, as rising maintenance costs stretch household budgets thin. “I’m so…
Nourishing Our Veterans at Home
After serving his country bravely in the Vietnam War, Daniel found new challenges at home. “It took me about 4…
How Meals on Wheels Lifts Spirits and Restores Hope
Thanks to your generosity and support, Marion Polk Food Share’s Meals on Wheels program continues to serve our most vulnerable…
The Impact of Home Delivery and Mobile Pantry Programs
Because of you, Marion Polk Food Share’s Mobile Pantry and Home Delivery Program is providing vital food assistance to individuals…
Amy’s Story of Community and Resilience
Amy, an early preschool teacher, navigates the delicate balance of nurturing young minds while managing her own challenges. Driven more…
Growing Futures: Kitty’s Journey to Leadership
At Marion Polk Food Share’s Youth Farm, growth isn’t just about the crops that spring from the ground, but also…
A Tribal Elder’s Path Through Adversity
Louie, a 77-year-old tribal elder from the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe in Washington’s lush Olympic Peninsula, is deeply connected to his…
From Food Distribution to Education
At Chemeketa Community College, an old semi truck’s transformation embodies more than just the repurposing of materials. It symbolizes a…
From Receiving to Giving: A Circle of Support
At Iskam MәkhMәk-Haws food pantry in Grand Ronde, food fills plates and also fuels community spirit. Here, Alyssa, a former…
Finding Strength and Support in Community
Nikki’s life took an unexpected turn from being an independent adventurer to facing the realities of a demanding physical recovery…
Full Plates: A Culinary Revolution from the Garden
Jill (not her real name) and her family joined Marion Polk Food Share’s Farm Share Rx program following a dietician’s…
Growing Together: Cultivating Community Through School Gardens
Irma’s journey into community gardening was built on a foundation of past experiences. Her work in Tijuana, Mexico, where she…
McNary Estates Garage Sale Supports Marion Polk Food Share
McNary Estates in Keizer will host its annual Garage Sale and Food Drive from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,…
Seeds of Empowerment: The Grace House Garden
Grace House, a sanctuary for empowerment, is dedicated to helping houseless and disadvantaged women on their transformative journey toward a…
The Garden Path to Community Well-Being
Sue’s journey with Marion Polk Food Share’s Farm Share Rx Program exemplifies the power of nutrition and neighborly love in…
Bridging Gaps: Christie’s Journey
Christie’s journey epitomizes resilience, empowerment, and the transformative impact of community support systems. Born into deep poverty, Christie’s early life…
Meals on Wheels volunteer still serving at age 98
Ralph, a 96-year-old World War II veteran, has been delivering Meals on Wheels in Keizer since 1992. Meals on Wheels…
Turning Challenges into Culinary Triumphs
Meet Rick, a remarkable single parent who has turned his life experiences into a mission to empower others and celebrate…
Two Hearts, One Mission
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day and the love it symbolizes, we bring you a heartwarming story that beautifully intertwines…
Strengthening Our Community One Meal at a Time
Andy’s journey with Meals on Wheels began just a couple of years ago, sparked by a simple conversation with a…
Transforming Tables with Generosity
The holiday season, while filled with joy and celebration, often brings added pressures for families facing financial challenges. Your support…
Nourishing Farmworkers’ Families in Woodburn
Thanks to your generosity, AWARE Food Bank is providing important support to farmworkers and their families in the Woodburn community. …
The Impact and Heart of Marion Polk Food Share’s Meals on Wheels Program
Marion Polk Food Share’s Meals on Wheels Program is a beacon of hope in our community. Meals on Wheels provides…
How Marion Polk Food Share’s Youth Farm Nurtures Future Leaders
Marion Polk Food Share’s Youth Farm serves as a dynamic educational opportunity for local youth. Through this unique program, participating…
Rising from the Ashes: AWARE Food Bank Reopens in Woodburn
When AWARE Food Bank caught fire in 2021, the resulting damage was felt throughout the community. An act of arson…
“They Just Embraced Us”
For more than 40 years, the Ella Curran Food Bank has stood as a beacon of hope in the Independence…
Harvesting Hope: Sharing Fresh Produce with Local Families in Need
Summer and fall are a time of beautiful agricultural growth in the Willamette Valley, with local farmers working diligently to…
Mobile Pantry Serves the Underserved
DeAnna T, Community Outreach Director at Tabernaculo de Salem, along with her grandchildren, set up shelf stable food and fresh…
Pantries Provide Relief Through Difficult Times
Ray shops for food at Dallas Seventh-day Adventist Church’s food pantry, which he relies on for relief as food prices…
New garden offers community gathering space
Reuben and his wife, Jessica, place garden bed frames at Santana Village Park Garden. On a Saturday afternoon at a…
Seniors welcome the return of in-person meals
Richard, left, and Jimbo chat while eating lunch together at the Meals on Wheels dining room at Center 50+. In-person…
More than just a meal
Meals on Wheels client Sylvia, left, is thankful for the quick actions of delivery volunteer Charles, who came to her…
Seniors make meaningful connections through volunteering
Capitol Manor residents Jeannie, left, and Bobbie share a laugh during a volunteer shift labeling bulk food bags. In a…
Need continues as pandemic benefits end
John, right, thanks volunteer driver Claire while receiving a delivery of groceries at his apartment in Salem. Late last year,…
Pantry fills fresh food gap for Grand Ronde neighbors
Pam, left, receives help from Iskam MәkhMәk-Haws volunteer Debbie during a mobile pantry distribution at a mobile home park in…
Your support delivers healthy food to neighbors in need
Marion Polk Food Share delivery driver Zimmer chats with assistant pantry manager Judi during a delivery to Keizer Community Food…
AWARE Food Bank provides crucial relief for Woodburn community
Maria, an employee of Family Building Blocks, picks up food for her clients with help from volunteer Rick at AWARE…
Student volunteers gain valuable workplace skills
South Salem High School Developmental Learning Center students Abe, left, and Kellyn, right, bag cucumbers with help from student intern…
Pop-up pantry helps fill service gap
Kathey, left, fills her bag with assistance from volunteer Merri, right, during a pop-up distribution in west Salem. Last spring,…
Meals on Wheels helps neighbors through tough times
Seniors in our community are grateful for the nutritious foods they receive from Meals on Wheels. Marion Polk Food Share…
For more than a decade, Columbia Bank associates have supported the Food Share through hands-on warehouse volunteering. In recent years, they have expanded this tradition into a quarterly opportunity for associates across the bank.