Free food market moves to new location in November posted on 11/01/2022
Every month for the past four years, Neighborhood Missions
has held a Free Food Market, offering food boxes to those who need it, in the
parking lot at the Hoodland Senior Center.
But with the center expected to finalize a new lease
agreement with Clackamas County, Neighborhood Missions needed to find a new
spot.
“We appreciate it and offer thanks that we’ve been there so
long,” said Steve Carlson, who helps facilitate the market.
The new location will be at Hoodland Lutheran Church, 59151
Hwy. 26, with the same hours as before, 9-10 a.m.
And while the market is typically held on the last Monday of
each month, the holiday season will push the market date earlier for December.
November’s will take place on Monday, Nov. 28, while December’s will be a week
early, on Monday, Dec. 19.
Carlson noted that in the past two months, the market has
served more than 80 households, including 16 new ones.
“It seems apparent that the need is increasing,” he said.
The food for the program comes from the Oregon Food Bank,
and Carlson noted that they have been able to order extra food to meet the new
demand.
He also stressed that Neighborhood Missions is able to
deliver food boxes and if there is need for additional food, they can provide
it.
Robert Boertien, Chair of the Hoodland Senior Center board
of directors, noted that the new agreement reduces the center’s control over
the back parking lot.
“The traffic generated by free food day cannot be safely
accommodated without access to the entire back lot,” Boertien wrote in an email
to The Mountain Times.
He added that the center will cooperate with Neighborhood
Missions as they strive to meet the needs in the community.
For more information or to request help, call 503-622-9213.
By Garth Guibord/MT
| 
