News

Trader Joe’s has blessed us with an abundance of food

Trader Joe’s has blessed us with an abundance of food

New Volunteer Opportunties

Trader Joe’s has blessed us with an abundance of food that now requires more workers to sort. Three older volunteers can no longer handle the demands of packing food boxes on busy days. Parking attendants are needed to direct guests where to park as parking space is very limited.

Please direct any prospective volunteers to our Volunteer Coordinator, Debralynn Crowder, whose information is on the attachment.

If you are interested in applying for a position, please contact Debralynn Crowder, Volunteer Coordinator, at 509-302-8543, or leave a message at 541-447-7662, or send a text to 458-231-7184.

Pantry News, Emergency Services, Donations Needed, and more!

Pantry News, Emergency Services, Donations Needed, and more!

Winter Newsletter

We moved to our new Pantry on Madras Highway last November after searching for a year and spending 6 months at a temporary location.  We are working with the County Building department to obtain an occupancy permit that will allow our guests to enter our Pantry and select their own food in a “open shopping” style arrangement.

Pantry business doubled last year (Figure 1) which put a huge strain on us as well as our primary suppliers, Oregon Food Bank and Neighbor Impact. We now spend $3,500 a month for eggs, milk, meat, and canned fruit which we used to get for free. In addition to food donated by local groceries, we pick up 3 loads a week from Trader Joe’s who recently designated us as one of three Neighborhood Share Partners.

Emergency Services are in high demand as families struggle with rising housing and food costs.  We helped 320 households with 492 adults and 386 children last calendar year at a cost of $141,700 (Table 1).  Single parent households received the most help (Figure 2).  Helping families stay in their homes was the greatest need (Figure 3).  The extraordinary support we were able to provide last calendar was made possible by a very generous donation from an individual who was impressed by the friendliness of Prineville people and wanted to share the blessings he had received.

Donations Urgently Needed

The Pantry food budget is fully funded, however our emergency help fund will be exhausted by the end of March without additional donations.  Please consider increasing your donation or starting a monthly donation through our web site.  Your support is critical to our operation as we rely totally on donations.  We are all volunteers.  There is no paid staff.  Your donation is spent locally to support your neighbor in need.  Please help us continue our ministry.

Volunteers Wanted

Are you looking for a rewarding ministry serving others for 3 hours a week?  Volunteers welcome guests, assist them with food selections, restock pantry shelves, pick up and deliver food, answer phones, etc.  Please call 458-231-7184 if you are interested in volunteering.

St. Vincent de Paul on the Move Again

St. Vincent de Paul must Move Again

We learned we must move again. We just arrived on the Prineville Campus in May, site of the old Woodgrain Mill, where we were welcomed and made to feel right at home. However, their largest tenant, Central Oregon Processing, is expanding their CBD extraction operation, hiring 60 more people, and renting the train shed we use as a “drive-thru”. Train carloads of ethanol will be arriving next to where our guests park. Our presence here will not be compatible with their expanded operation. Parris Real Estate, the site manager, will compensate us for our improvements and help us relocate.

We are searching for a new home. We need 3,000 SF of temperature-controlled space on a concrete slab to support our food storage. Please let us know if you know of a suitable space. We will need to be moved by fall. Please pray that we find a new home.

Orientation in July

Would you like to learn more about our Vincentian Mission and Spirituality? If so, please join us for a one-day Ozanam Orientation, Saturday, July 8, 10 AM to 4 PM, at St. Francis Parish, 2450 NE 27th in Bend.

Food Pantry

Business is booming. Our Pantry served 310 households with 837 individuals the last four weeks. The highest demand occurs at the end of the month.

Emergency Help

We assisted 30 households in May, 88% of which helped families stay in their homes.

Category Count Paid
Housing 18 $10,563
Other 3 $682
Shelter 4 $578
Transport 5 $125
Total 30 $11,948