Hunger and poor nutrition are serious problems in Douglas County. Folks with less resources often have to skip meals. When they do eat, they typically rely on cheap, nutrient poor foods, like highly-processed, convenience foods, to get by. We all know what it feels like to be “hangry.” Lack of food not only leaves us irritable, it makes it hard to focus on the job and at school. Hunger can lead to a number of lifelong health issues.
As the costs of food continues to rise, more people than ever are in need of emergency food. A substantial portion of Douglas County is food insecure, with a higher proportion of children lacking adequate food. In 2021, 16.8% children alone were food insecure in Douglas County. In 2022, the percentage of children who are food insecure in Douglas County increased substantially, to a worrisome 23.3%. That means we had 3,630 more hungry children in 2022.
More hunger means more demand for the food that Feeding Umpqua distributes to pantries and community kitchens throughout Douglas County. Unfortunately, it does not mean that more food is coming in to the Feeding Umpqua warehouse. The amount of food made available to Feeding Umpqua has plummeted since the end of the Pandemic. This is why support from local residents like you is so important at this time.
You can donate a wide range of foods to Feeding Umpqua. Foods we especially appreciate include: fresh produce, canned meats (tuna or chicken), chili, stew, soups,
peanut butter, nuts and dried fruit (low sugar), canned vegetables, canned fruits (without syrup), cereal and protein bars. Consider hosting a food drive at work, your church, or a club you’re a member of to increase your food donation. We have tips for running a food drive on our web-site: https://www.ucancap.org/food-donation/
Better yet, donate money to Feeding Umpqua. We’ll use your donation to purchase foods most needed by community members. You can donate by going to: https://tinyurl.com/2024holidaygiving and selecting Feeding Umpqua from the drop-down menu. Every dollar you donate provides 3 meals for local residents.
