‘Absolutely critical’: $7,000 grant boosts Weekend Food Program’s effort to combat food insecurity for students
Jillian Fortner
(Update: Adding video, Jillian Fortner has a report on KTVZ News at 6:00 p.m.)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Every Friday, Jericho Road’s Weekend Food Program sends out food bags to students across the Redmond School District.
Last year, over 2,000 bags were sent out.
“Each one of those bags averages two to three meals. So that’s 6,000 meals that went out through the volunteer efforts of this program,” said Don Senecal from Jericho Road of Redmond.
The program recently received a $7,000 grant from the Healy Foundation.
“This award is extremely appreciated,” said Eleanor Bessonette, program director of the Weekend Food for Students.
Jericho Road says the funding comes at a critical time.
“The demand for assistance is still there, but the cost is going up,” Senecal said.
Recent reductions in support to the Oregon Food Bank and the NeighborImpact Food Warehouse by the Department of Agriculture have resulted in fewer supplies being available.
In April, KTVZ spoke with NeighborImpact, which reported a 17% decrease in food supplies, over half a million pounds lost.
Carly Auten, Food Program Director for NeighborImpact, said, “We’re looking at less food, less variety, and we’re looking at potentially having to put more limits on food. It’s very disheartening for those us who work in food banking.”
Students in the Weekend Food Program are selected through a screening process.
Some already rely on SNAP benefits, but that safety net may also be at risk.
House Republicans have proposed close to $1 trillion in cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP as part of a larger effort to reduce federal spending.
Oregon U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum warns that if the legislation passes, millions of Americans could lose access to essential support.
Bynum said, “80,000 Oregonians will be at risk of losing access to food they put on the table thanks to SNAP. Now, I know from my own town halls and that my constituents are not okay with this, and I think they shouldn’t be.”
For more information about how to help the Weekend Food Program, visit the website for Jericho Road of Redmond or call 541-633-0854.