CORVALLIS, Ore. — Benton County has joined many other local organizations in responding to increasing food insecurity in local communities. Noodles for Neighbors is a countywide effort through the end of December to collect nonperishable food and monetary donations that will help feed neighbors in need.

Collection boxes are in place in eight Benton County facilities. Community members are encouraged to bring the following shelf-stable items to fill the bins:

• Dry pasta, any shape

• Boxed macaroni and cheese

• Canned pasta sauce (many food banks don’t accept glass jars because of breakage)

• Canned ready-to-eat pasta meals with pop-tops, like SpaghettiOs and ravioli

Other nonperishable food donations are also welcome. All items should be unopened and not expired.

The most effective way to help in the fight against hunger is to donate money. For every dollar donated, Linn Benton Food Share can provide the equivalent of 5 meals to individuals and families in our community.

Linn Benton Food Share provides food to 29 member agencies in Benton County, including food pantries, meal sites, food boxes for seniors and distribution programs at child care centers, senior care facilties and group homes. The Board of Commissioners recently approved a $60,000, two-year grant to support this work.

On Aug. 5, Linn Benton Food Share Program Director Ryan McCambridge reported to Benton County administrators and the Board of Commissioners that the organization distributed more than 1.6 million pounds of food in the County in the 2024-2025 fiscal year ending June 30. This included 21,785 emergency food boxes with a 3-5 day supply of food for individuals and families.

“That 21,000 emergency food boxes was almost a 13% increase over the previous year. It also represents the highest number of food boxes ever distributed in the county,” said McCambridge. “We see those numbers continuing to increase both through the rest of this calendar year and into the next few years because of changes both at the federal and state level.”

Beyond those surviving below the federal poverty level, emergency food supports community members who are housed and employed but unable to make ends meet. These households, often referred to as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, or ALICE, represent a significant portion of our community.

"Statistics about the federal poverty level only tell part of the story of people in need,” said Benton County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “A much larger number of households are ALICE, with income above the poverty level, but not enough to afford basic expenses.”

Including those below the federal poverty level, an estimated 46% of households in Benton County were below the ALICE threshold in 2023. Since then, the cost of food and other necessities has increased.

“While these community members might not be in crisis, they are forced to make impossible choices,” said McEneny. “They’re deciding whether to pay for the electric bill or a car repair, whether to buy food or fill a prescription.”

Benton County’s food collection started with an internal food drive organized by employees on the County's Benefits and Wellness Committee and AFSCME Local 2064. The public Noodles for Neighbors effort supports a broad community response as local governments, nonprofits and partner agencies work together to support families, expand food access and connect people with new resources.

A list of donation sites and food resources is available on the Benton County website.

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Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.