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The Double Up Food Bucks program matches purchases up to $20. (Lindsay Trapnell/Oregon Food Bank)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Summer food benefits for kids amplified through Double Up produce program

Oregon is participating in a federal food benefits program for children, called Summer EBT. Dollars from the program will go even farther to …

El programa Double Up Food Bucks iguala las compras hasta $20. (Lindsay Trapnell/Banco de Alimentos de Oregon)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Programa "Double Up" amplía beneficios alimentarios para niños en Verano

Oregon participa en un programa federal de prestaciones alimentarias para niños llamado Summer EBT. Los dólares del programa llegará…

More than 650,000 Americans experienced homelessness on a single night in 2023. (Victoria/Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS to hear Oregon case on criminalizing homelessness

A case out of Oregon soon to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court could have a major impact on how cities treat homelessness. Oral arguments for …

A new collective bargaining contract for TSA officers working in Oregon airports will allow for the ability to bargain over local issues. (Dmitry/Adobe Stock)

Oregon TSA officers improve working conditions with new contract

Airport security officers in Oregon are celebrating what they say will be better working conditions, after ratifying a new collective bargaining …

Medical debt is a major source of financial strain across the U.S. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

OR lawmakers pass bill that 'changes landscape' on debt collection

Consumer advocates in Oregon are praising recently passed legislation they say changes the landscape on debt collection. Senate Bill 1595, known as …

Oregon lawmakers have two weeks left in the session to approve funding for the Summer EBT program that helps feed children when school's out. (Lindsay Trapnell/Oregon Food Bank)

Nearly 300,000 OR kids await approval of summer food benefits

A program that would provide food benefits to kids during the summer still needs funding approval from the Oregon Legislature. The state has …

A los legisladores de Oregon les quedan dos semanas de sesi�n para aprobar la financiaci�n del programa EBT de verano que ayuda a alimentar a los ni�os cuando no hay colegio. (Bob/Adobe Stock)

Casi 300,000 niños de OR esperan aprobación para prestaciones alimentarias de Verano

Un programa que proporciona beneficios alimentarios a los niños durante el verano aún necesita la aprobación de fondos de la Legislatur…

A loophole in Oregon law makes it hard to seek legal recourse if debt is attributed to the wrong person or for the wrong amount. (72 Images/Adobe Stock)

OR legislation aims to protect against debt collection practices

Oregon lawmakers could add greater safeguards for consumers from debt collectors this session. The Family Financial Protection Act of Oregon …

Many parents and caregivers have to come up with at least 10 additional meals per week, per child, when school breakfasts and lunches are not available in summer. (Adobe Stock)

Nearly 300,000 Oregon kids could get help accessing nutritious food this summer

The risks of child hunger increase dramatically when school cafeterias close for the summer, especially for the one in eight families currently …

Food banks provide a crucial service, but federal programs such as SNAP are critical to fighting hunger. (kuarmungadd/Adobe Stock)

Hunger Action Month: Farm Bill offers chance to support, expand SNAP

Hunger Action Month is coming to a close, but one major action for ensuring people are fed remains on the horizon. The largest federal food-…

Los bancos de alimentos brindan un servicio crucial, pero los programas federales como SNAP son fundamentales para combatir el hambre. (kuarmungadd/Adobe Stock)

Proyecto de Ley de agrícola ofrece oportunidad para apoyar y ampliar SNAP

El Mes de Acción contra el Hambre está llegando a su fin, pero aún queda en el horizonte una acción importante para garantizar …

El Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP), proporciona la mayor ayuda alimentaria a las familias de todo el pa�s. (jetcityimage/Adobe Stock)

Oregonianos requieren ayuda durante el Mes de Acción contra el Hambre

Septiembre es el Mes de Acción contra el Hambre, y muchos habitantes de Oregón están luchando por obtener los alimentos que necesitan…

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides the most food aid to families in the nation. (jetcityimage/Adobe Stock)

Oregonians in Need During Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month, and many Oregonians are struggling to get the food they need. At the organization's annual state of hunger …

Community health centers serve one in 11 people across the country. (Kirsten Davis, peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Week Spotlights Community Health Centers Removing Barriers to Care

Events across the country are marking this as National Health Center Week, including in Oregon. Community health centers provide affordable health …

The federal child tax credit program immediately reduced child poverty across the country. (tomertu/Adobe Stock)

Tax Credit Coming for OR Families 'in Greatest Need'

State lawmakers have approved a child tax credit for Oregonians with household earnings of $25,000 a year or less. House Bill 3235, which creates a $1…

A new report on child well-being ranks Oregon 16th in its family and community category. (Steve/Adobe Stock)

Report: OR Lags in Providing Education for Young People

Oregon ranks in the middle of the pack in a new report on child well-being. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids Count Data Book ranks the …

If passed, the Food for All Oregonians legislation would go into effect by 2025. (Oregon Food Bank)

OR Food Aid Expansion Bill Could Benefit Rural Immigrant Communities

Rural immigrant communities could benefit greatly from legislation known as Food for All Oregonians, anti-hunger groups say. Senate Bill 610 would …

Food for All Oregonians advocates have been meeting with legislators to get the bill passed. (Oregon Food Bank)

Lack of Food Assistance Has Health Consequences for Oregonians

Oregonians who have experienced food insecurity are pushing the state to ensure everyone has access to federal food assistance. The Supplemental …

People are put in precarious positions when they cannot afford their medical bills. (volgariver/Adobe Stock)

OR Nonprofit Hospitals Fail to Provide Financial Aid to Low-Income Patients

Oregon's nonprofit hospitals are not doing enough to provide assistance on medical bills for low-income patients, but a bill in Salem aims to change …

The boosted benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be dropped for the first time in three years. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

OR Families to See Federal Food Assistance Drop This Month

Emergency allotments to supplement food assistance during the pandemic are ending this month, and Oregon families are likely to take a big hit…

On a typical night, about 580,000 Americans are considered homeless. (Victoria/Adobe Stock)

Oregonians Recognize Hunger, Homelessness Awareness Week

As the cold weather settles in and some families make plans for the holidays, others are recognizing Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week this week…

Grocery stores participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program in Oregon stretch from Astoria to Ontario. (olinchuk/Adobe Stock)

Some OR Farmers Markets Pack Up, But Fresh Food Program Still Available

As the weather gets cooler, some farmers markets in Oregon are winding down. But a program which incentivizes buying fresh fruits and vegetables is …

There are more than 600 food-assistance sites in Oregon and southwest Washington, according to the Oregon Food Finder website. (alhim/Adobe Stock)

Hunger Action Month Sheds Light on OR Families Still Struggling

September is National Hunger Action Month, highlighting the ways people can get involved to fight food insecurity. Susannah Morgan, CEO of Oregon …

Overtime pay will be phased in for farmworkers in Oregon over the next five years. (Bob/Adobe Stock)

Farmworkers Rights a Ballot Issue as OR Primary Approaches

Ballots are due for Oregon's primary election on Tuesday, and one key issue for voters is the rights of workers who grow the state's food. …

A survey from 2021 found 38% of Oregon respondents with children age 12 and under faced disruptions to their child-care arrangements in the last month. (Kawee/Adobe Stock)

Child-Care Conundrum Presents Hurdles for OR Families

Finding and affording child care is no cakewalk for Oregon families right now. A new report details the pressures and some potential policy fixes…

HUD's Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program will support a wide range of efforts to house young people. (Roman Bodnarchuk/Adobe Stock)

HUD Grant to Help OR Fight Youth Homelessness

SALEM, Ore. - Funds from the federal government are helping communities, including two in Oregon, tackle youth homelessness. The U.S. Department of …

One proposal in Congress would invest $35 billion to expand access to school and summer meals. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Build Back Better Act Could Drastically Cut Child Hunger, Advocates Say

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Groups fighting child hunger say the Build Back Better plan in Congress could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to cut down on …

More than 42 million Americans may experience food insecurity because of the pandemic, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

Groups Fighting Hunger Call for Action This Month

PORTLAND, Ore. - Groups fighting hunger and poverty in Oregon are urging renewed action this month to ensure that everyone is fed. September is …

About half of student parents and first-generation students are Pell Grant recipients. (Yurii Kibalnik/Adobe Stock)

As College Cost Worries Grow, Campaign Urges Doubling Pell Grants

EUGENE, Ore. - Pell Grants are a lifeline for many students attending college, but the federal aid covers far less than it used to. That's why …

The Oregon legislative session is scheduled to adjourn June 27. (ASP Inc/Adobe Stock)

OR Bill Would Overhaul Community Safety, Policing

UPDATE: HB 2002 has died in the Legislature. "This is a profoundly disappointing setback for Oregonians who value and have called for racial justice …

Supporters of the Double Up Food Bucks program hope lawmakers will fund its expansion into 25 grocery stores across Oregon. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Program Providing Fresh Food Hopes to 'Double Up' Impact

PORTLAND, Ore. - A program that helps Oregonians eat fresh food could expand with an assist from lawmakers. Double Up Food Bucks matches …

Oregon's eviction moratorium ends June 30 and the state could see a torrent of evictions if renters have to pay missed rents. (Mr Doomits/Adobe Stock)

OR Bill Could Stave Off Wave of Evictions

SALEM, Ore. -- Facing a housing crisis from the pandemic, Oregon lawmakers are considering a measure to better protect renters. Senate Bill 282…

More than 2.1 million Oregonians received stimulus checks during the first round of relief last year. (Jeff McCollough/Adobe Stock)

Stimulus, Tax Refunds Opportunities to Build Emergency Funds

PORTLAND, Ore. - With stimulus checks hitting bank accounts and tax refunds on the horizon for some, financial experts are advising people to make a …

More than 70% of Oregon students said they were food insecure the previous year, according to a survey before the pandemic. (JeanLuc/Adobe Stock)

'Benefits Navigators' Proposed to Help OR College Students

PORTLAND, Ore. - It's no secret that college students often are low on cash, but hunger among Oregon students is soaring. A measure in the state …

Las buenas destrezas de comunicaci�n pueden impulsar los salarios de una persona hasta 20%, seg�n un reporte reciente. (BullRun/Adobe Stock)

Desarrollen destrezas más allá de los Títulos para tener Trabajos Bien Pagados

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Un reporte reciente enfatiza las destrezas que los trabajadores necesitan tener y que son más que un título o un …

Food insecurity has doubled since the start of the pandemic, according to Oregon State University. (David Pereiras/Adobe Stock)

State, Federal Help Falters for Hungry OR Families

PORTLAND, Ore. -- As Oregon families struggle during the pandemic, anti-hunger advocates fear state lawmakers and the federal government aren't doing …

It's unclear if Oregon students will return to the classroom this academic year. (shangarey/Adobe Stock)

School's Out, Ore. Teachers Find Ways to Help

PORTLAND, Ore. -- With schools closed, Oregon teachers are finding other ways to support students and their communities. Claudia McClellan is a …

Oregon pantries are getting creative with assistance, including delivering food boxes. (happy_lark/Adobe Stock)

OR Food Pantries Respond During COVID-19 Outbreak

PORTLAND, Ore. - Food assistance programs are making sure people have the resources they need during the COVID-19 outbreak. Oregon Food Bank CEO …

Census takers starting in May will be visiting folks who haven't filled out the Census form. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

OR Initiative Pushes for Accurate Census Count of Young Children

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregonians have started receiving notices to fill out the 2020 Census and advocacy groups want households to keep one of the most …

About 10% of Oregon's population lives in neighborhoods considered difficult to count for the next census. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

OR Food Banks Stress Importance of Accurate 2020 Census

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon Food Bank is mobilizing its statewide network to ensure every Oregonian is counted in this year's census. This is the first …

Oregon Food Bank distributes food to 1,400 food pantries, meal sites, after-school programs and senior centers. (kuarmungadd/Adobe Stock)

Groups Celebrate MLK with Day of Service

PORTLAND, Ore. -- To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, organizations around the country have turned MLK Day into a day of volunteering…

About 688,000 people are expected to be affected by new rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr)

Hundreds of Thousands to Lose SNAP Under New Rule

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Trump administration's new rule tightening work restrictions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is drawing …

The incidence of gum disease is two to three times higher for people with diabetes, and either condition can exacerbate the other. (vetkit/Adobe Stock)

Link Made Between Mouth Health, Diabetes

PORTLAND, Ore. – Connections are becoming clearer between good oral health and treating high blood sugar. November is Diabetes Awareness …

About 57,000 Oregon children were living in high-poverty areas between 2013 and 2017, according to a new Annie E. Casey Foundation report. (Lazurite/Flickr)

Despite Economy, OR Kids Stuck in High-Poverty Areas

PORTLAND, Ore. — Economic expansion after the Great Recession of 2008 has done little to get Oregon children out of high-poverty neighborhoods…

More than 60% of workers at grocery stores are women, according to the Oregon AFL-CIO. (Drobot Dean/Adobe Stock)

OR Initative Aims to Fight Automation, Save Grocery Jobs

PORTLAND, Ore. – A potential Oregon ballot initiative, if approved, would slow the roll of automation – starting at grocery store …

AARP volunteers helped 45,000 Oregonians with their taxes earlier this year. (stevepb/Pixabay)

AARP Recruiting Tax-Aide Volunteers in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. – The nation's largest free tax-aid program is looking for volunteers in Oregon. For more than 50 years, the AARP Foundation …

The Double Up Food Bucks program is available in roughly half of Oregon's farmers markets. (Farmers Market Fund)

OR SNAP Recipients Can 'Double Up' at Farmers Markets

PORTLAND, Ore. – A program that helps food-benefit recipients purchase fresh fruits and vegetables is set to expand with additional funding …

One in eight Oregonians is food insecure, often relying on local food pantries for meals. (wittco.gmbh/Flickr)

Funds Needed to Tackle Growing Hunger Issue in Oregon

SALEM, Ore. – Anti-hunger advocates are hoping lawmakers will continue their investment in the state's food banks. The Oregon Hunger Response …

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