Hunger And Food Security
Of the 40,568 students in the Beaverton School District, 32.8% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch - that’s 13,306 kids! At Beaverton High School, 44% qualify for the lunch program. At Vose Elementary, that number is a shocking 86%.
According to the Oregon Food Bank, “hunger starves the human spirit.”
Oregon Food Bank clients were surveyed about food security:
28% worry always or often about where their next meal is coming from
82% report that there have been times in the last 12 months when they did not have enough money to buy food that they or their family needed
38% of households reported watering down food or drinks to make them last longer
31% of households with kids report cutting kids meals
Oregon’s food insecurity rate continues to remain above the national average. For Oregon households, 16.1% are considered food insecure. The national average is 14.3%.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
To read a full Nondiscrimination Statement, click the link: HERE.
Free Groceries
A large food cupboard is open here at Bethel on Monday from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM and on Wednesday from 6 - 7 PM. Families in need of 3 to 5 days of emergency food are helped through a partnership with Oregon Food Bank. Drop by during open hours.
To donate, click this button below and select “Food Ministry” from the dropdown options.
Free Meals
Faith Café is dedicated to helping our Washington County neighbors who are hungry for food and community. Faith Café offers a free weekly meal, served by volunteers, and advocates for long-term social changes that reduce hunger and poverty. Members of our congregation volunteer to serve at the Café on a regular basis. Faith Cafe serves a free meal at Bethel every Sunday at 4:15 PM and on the last Thursday of each month at 4:15 PM.
Faith Café is a non-profit organization which uses our Bethel space to serve the community.
Winter and Spring Break Food For Homeless Students
BHS homeless students receive two free meals a day while in school, but do not receive food assistance during their scheduled school breaks. Thanks to our partnership with Beaverton High School, we are able to provide students with we provide students with groceries for meals during their winter and spring break. Click here to learn more about our BHS homeless student program.
To donate, click the button below and select “Beaverton Homeless Youth” from the dropdown options.
Contact Us for More Info on How You Can Help Fight Food Insecurity in Washington County