The Salem Foundation
The Salem Foundation funded a new refrigerated van for the Marion-Polk Food Share, significantly extending the reach of food deliveries to families and individuals across the Willamette Valley.
Every month more than 46,000 individuals–including 15,000 children–receive food assistance in Marion and Polk counties. These meals may come from an emergency food box from a food pantry, in a meal served at a shelters and community meal sites, or delivered through Meals on Wheels.
The refrigerated van was presented to the Salem Foundation via grant request as a way to respond to the increased demand for food assistance due to Covid-19. The pandemic only worsened food disparity: In April and May of 2020, the Marion-Polk Food Share distributed more than two million pounds of food, feeding more than 69,000 people in need. In 2020, the Salem Foundation approved funding and the van joined the fleet of food-transport vehicles.
As opposed to the large trucks which compose the majority of the fleet, the van is smaller and more manageable, expanding the number of drivers who can staff the van. This allows the larger transport trucks to be used more effectively, especially for quick response to food pickups and emergency food deliveries. With another way to transport fresh food, people in need of food assistance are better served and better fed.
The Salem Foundation is proud to support Marion-Polk Food Share and their mission to end hunger in Oregon.
