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Donating food during COVID-19 crisis
In these unprecedented times, Metro wants to work with you to support your community, while also avoiding the unnecessary loss of food and related business supplies. Businesses may also consider donating a certain portion of food or supplies to the community to aid the response efforts. For those businesses in a position to safely donate food to employees or hunger relief organizations, here are some guidelines and resources.
Guidelines and resources for donating food
Where possible, first consider providing excess food to your employees or employees of neighboring businesses. Continue keeping the health and safety of community members at the forefront of all decision making about what to do with excess food. Public health and food safety, particularly for vulnerable communities, is the highest priority.
Follow these guidelines to ensure your food safely gets to community members:
Businesses that donate food, in good faith, are protected by the Good Samaritan Act, and are eligible for a federal tax deduction (see Oregon Food Bank’s information on tax deductions). Work with your accountant or business manager for financial advice.
Donations to Oregon Food Bank locations in greater Portland (NE Portland and Beaverton)
If you have food or other donations to share with the community, complete this Oregon Food Bank form. Oregon Food Bank is serving as the regional hub for food and supply donations in greater Portland during the COVID-19 response. They will work to review each donation and look for ways to connect donations with local hunger relief organizations.
Currently being accepted
- Food: Packaged produce, distribution ready-packaged goods (on a case by case basis) and frozen bulk fruits and vegetables as long as they can be received into outside storage for repacking at a later date.
- Boxes: Boxes of any size in quantity. Containers that are 12”x12”x16” are preferred or boxes that vary a couple inches from this size. NOTE: These are being loaded with food and palletized, hence the need for consistent sizing.
- Sealable to-go containers, any size.
Questions: Oregon Food Bank, 503-419-4169, [email protected]
Meal sites in greater Portland
There are limited sites in greater Portland that are serving people experiencing homelessness and that are accepting all types of donations, including cooked/prepared foods. They also have a great need for to-go containers. Access Oregon Food Bank’s Food Finder to get the most up-to-date information on meal sites in your area that may be able to accept your donation.
Other hunger relief organizations across Oregon
To connect with donation agencies outside greater Portland contact your regional food bank via Oregon Food Bank’s Statewide Network page, or contact local government staff whose contact information is listed below.
Local government contacts in greater Portland
City of Beaverton
Julane Potter
503-526-2665
[email protected]
City of Gresham
Nick Isbister
503-618-2258
[email protected]
City of Portland
Paul deBlock
503-823-7202
[email protected]
Clackamas County
Kelly Stewart
503-742-4458
[email protected]
Washington County
Jennifer Stefanick
503-846-3605
[email protected]
Local government contacts outside greater Portland
Lane County
Angie Marzano
541-682-6536
[email protected]
Marion County
Rachel VanWoert
503-566-4159
[email protected]
City of Bend
Cassie Lacey
541-323-8587
[email protected]
City of Ashland
Ashland Emergency Food Bank
541-488-9544
[email protected]
City of Tillamook
Mis Carlson-Swanson, OFB Branch Services Manager
503-842-3154
[email protected]
Clatsop County
Meredith Reiley
[email protected]
NW Oregon, including North Coast
Lexi Meek, Oregon DEQ
503-229-5790
[email protected]
Southern Oregon, including South Coast
Cathy Brown, DEQ Western Region
541-687-7325
[email protected]
General food donation guidelines
While steps can be taken to plan and prepare food carefully, sometimes leftovers and unused ingredients are inevitable. Food banks, pantries and meal sites can take some donations.
Oregon consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for food insecurity - the inconsistent access to safe and nutritious food. By donating your surplus food you will feed people who experience hunger, preserve the resources that went into making the food and boost employee morale.
Food banks welcome whole ingredients or factory packaged items with ingredient lists. Other organizations and meal sites are able to take prepared foods produced by your kitchen. Food donations may also be tax-deductible under certain circumstances.
This guide to donating food can help businesses set up a successful donation program, learn about food safety, tax incentives and liability and know what foods can and cannot be donated.