Lane County Health & Human Services urges community members to give to local food banks
In an effort to help meet the basic nutritional needs of Lane County residents who rely on SNAP benefits in lieu of those benefits potentially not being available come November 1, LCHS is urging community members to donate food or money to Food for Lane County (FFLC). Roughly 75,000 individuals in Lane County use SNAP benefits to help put food on the table. Without these benefits, these individuals won’t have enough money or food to feed their families.
“The support some of our most vulnerable community members rely on to make ends meet is eroding,” said Lane County Health & Human Services Director, Eve Gray. “We have an opportunity now as a community who cares for each other to come together and help soften this blow to the health of our people.”
While SNAP benefits typically aren’t sufficient to supply all the nutritional needs of a family or individual, they are vital to help insure those individuals, especially children, have what they need to eat a balanced diet. The downstream effects of going without a balanced diet, even for days or weeks, can be significant on an individual's health, especially a developing child.
“This development has me worried about the health of our families in Lane County,” said Lane County Senior Public Health Officer, Dr. Patrick Luedtke. “I know I’m not the only one concerned and I sincerely hope that collective concern will lead to action.”
Lane County will participate by setting up donation barrels for staff to donate at Lane County owned properties.
“Food for Lane County is already seeing high numbers of pantry visitors at a time when our food supply has been limited due to federal program cuts. We want all Lane County residents to have the food and resources they need to thrive, and we’re very concerned about the welfare of our community if SNAP benefits aren’t available.” said Food for Lane County Director of Development and Communications, Rebecca Sprinson.
For individuals and families in need of food, please visit the FFLC food finder, at:
https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/food/free-food-finder/
Those interested in donating can do so by visiting: https://www.foodforlanecounty.org/ways-to=give/donate or by calling 541-343-2822.