Holiday Food and Fund Drives to Help the Community

The holiday season is a time of sharing and many local businesses and organizations are holding food and fund drives to share with their neighbors in need. These food and fund drives are vital to fill the shelves of Marion Polk Food Share and its network of partner agencies all year long. The most needed items are foods high in protein, including canned tuna, peanut butter and shelf-stable milk. Below are a few of the events and food drives in Salem and Keizer:

Events

Keizer Miracle of Christmas Lights Display – December 2 – 26

The Gubser neighborhood of Keizer shines with decorations and lights, creating a holiday wonderland that is a December tradition for many families. It is free to drive or walk through the neighborhood, but donations of non-perishable food and funds for Marion Polk Food Share are highly encouraged. Over the last 30 years, the event has raised more than $300,000 and 300,000 pounds of food. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/MiracleofChristmas.

Scouting for Food – December 3

Boy Scouts troops across Oregon will go door-to-door collecting non-perishable food for hungry families. The scouts will distribute door hanger signs and plastic bags in the neighborhoods where they will be collecting food. Donations can be left in a box or bag by the front door or given directly to Boy Scouts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information is available at https://www.cpcbsa.org/sff.

Food Drive Locations

Many local events are collecting non-perishable food. A few of the public food drives are listed below. Donations can be dropped off at these locations during business hours and will go directly to hunger relief.

Salem Saturday Market – Holiday Market	Oregon State Fairgrounds – Jackman Long Building	Dec. 13 & 14
Fred Meyer stores	Fred Meyer South – 3450 Commercial St. SE Salem, OR 97303 Fred Meyer East – 3740 Market St. NE Salem, OR 97301 Fred Meyer North – 2855 Broadway St NE Salem, OR 97301	Nov. 18 – Dec. 24

Willamette Valley Wineries Food Drive

Through December 31, more than 70 members of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association are participating in a food drive called Willamette Cares Food Share to assist Oregonians who struggle with hunger. The following wineries in Marion and Polk counties are collecting food and fund donations.

Bethel Heights Vineyard	6060 Bethel Heights Road NW Salem, OR 97304
Cristom Winery	6905 Spring Valley Road NW Salem, OR 97304
Cubanisimo Vineyards	1754 Best Road NW Salem, OR 97304
Evesham Wood Vineyard and Winery	3795 Wallace Road NW Salem, OR 97304
Illahe Vineyards	3275 Ballard Road Dallas,OR 97338
Willamette Valley Vineyards	8800 Enchanted Way SE Turner, OR 97392

Anyone can organize a food drive in their neighborhood, place of business, school or church. Contact Marion Polk Food Share at 503-581-3855 to ask for more information on how to hold a food and fund drive. An updated list of food drives in the community is available at www.MarionPolkFoodShare.org.

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