By Amber Ford, The Mountain Times
While the holiday season is traditionally known as the season of giving, many individuals and families find themselves in need regardless of what month is highlighted on the calendar. The Mt. Hood Villages is no exception when it comes to food shortages and members of the community are dedicated to ensure these needs are met.
For over the last six years, The Neighborhood Missions has hosted and sponsored the free food market to the Mt. Hood Villages residents. Using donations from The Oregon Food Bank and contributions from their own organization, The Neighborhood Missions feeds as many individuals and families as possible all year round. Neighborhood Missions and free food market volunteer Steve Carlson has been a driving force within the organization and feels that events such as the food bank are extremely important in communities like The Mt. Hood Villages. “Being a rural community, it is special to be able to provide this opportunity locally,” Carlson said.
Unlike other organized food giveaways, The Neighborhood Missions and the free food market have no requirements or registration needed to receive donations. “Everyone who lives approximately within the Welches school district in need of food is welcome; no qualifications are necessary,” Carlson said. “The food market takes place on the last Monday of each month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. or until the food is gone,” Carlson added.
The Neighborhood Missions and free food market also strive to provide individuals and families with an array of options. While many free food drives and organizations typically carry only canned and nonperishable food items, The Mt. Hood free food market aims to give locals a variety of foods. “We usually have dry goods, canned food, milk, eggs, bread, fruit, vegetables and sometimes frozen meat,” Carlson said.
According to Carlson, on average, The Mt. Hood free food market and Neighborhood Missions serve anywhere from 60-90 households, roughly 200-250 Mt. Hood Villages residents. With 15-20 volunteers each month, the hard work and dedication to feeding those in need within the community has become a priority for The Neighborhood Missions and their partner agency, the Oregon Food Bank.
The Mt. Hood Villages free food market is held in the parking lot of the Hoodland Lutheran Church the last Monday of each month, 9am-10am or until food runs out. For more information please call The Neighborhood Missions at 503-622-9213.