Oregonians that rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars will likely find their accounts running low this November. Whatever's in there won't disappear, but new deposits will likely be delayed. There's more than one reason why. The major issue looming in everyoneâs minds has to do with the ongoing shutdown of the federal governmentâin effect since October 1âas Congress tries to pass the 2026 spending bill.
On Friday, two federal judges ruled that the Trump administration will have to fund the federal food assistance program, but how those rulings will be implemented is unclear. Associated Press reports that the "judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island gave the administration leeway on whether to fund the program partially or in full for November."
Even when payments begin to come throughâOregon Department of Health and Safety has a note at the top of its main site that reads: "it will take time for funds to load onto EBT cards"âadded restrictions and funding cuts that were part of H.R. 1, popularly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, have led to Oregonians receiving less, and in some cases, being kicked off food assistance completely.
Weâve pulled together a list of basic resources and organizations that can help folks find food. Additionally, a number of Portland restaurants, cafes, and farmers markets put out the call that they want to support their food insecure neighbors. Some have already been doing so; some are revving up the assistance engines.
Food Banks/Pantries/Connections
A nonprofit and longtime resource coordinator for the state, Oregon Food Bank (OFB) maintains a searchable database of places providing hot meals, boxes of groceries, and other goods. The list is vast, including plenty of small community groups, so expect to call ahead to confirm details. OFB promises to stretch donation dollars by buying in bulk to distribute to anyone who asks.
A shopping style food pantry that allows people to pick out what they need. Excess food given to farms to feed animals. Their donation wishlist is a good resource, if youâre shopping for goods to take to a drive. (8100 N Lombard, Mon & Fri 10 am-4 pm,Wed 10 am-noon)
A nonprofit operating to feed people and eliminate food waste, Urban Gleaners links up with restaurants, farmers, wholesalers, etc.âturning their excess into prepackaged meals that folks can pick up at Free Food Markets. Their markets also have produce and grocery items, âincluding gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.â
Assembles food boxes for pick up. Folks can make basic selections online for a variety of produce, grocery, and household items.(Picked up in Portland Open Bible Church parking lot, 3223 SE 92nd, Mon-Tues 4-7 pm, Thurs 10 am-1 pm)
Farmers Markets
Farmers markets at PSU and in the King and Lents neighborhoods are all offering $20 Double Up Food Bucks or Produce Match per market, even if you have a zero balance on your Oregon Trail account in November. Ask about it at the market info booths. (PSU Farmers Market, SW Park & SW Montgomery, Saturdays 9 am-2 pm; Lents International Farmers Market, SE 92nd & SE Reedway, Sundays 9 am-2 pm, runs through Sun Nov 23,King Farmers Market, NE 7th & NE Wygant, Sundays 10 am-2 pm through Sun Nov 23)
This market is giving $10 in tokens to SNAP shoppers who have lost benefits for reasons related to the shutdown, which equals $20 in Double-Up Food Bucks/OProduce Match. The market is asking for donations so they can provide more. Theyâre also starting a free food pantry at the marketâs information booth for âanyone who needs to bridge a financial gapâ to shopâto be open every Saturday this November. Donations to the free pantry can be given to the market staff or volunteers. Anything left over will be distributed to local free fridges or kept for the following week, if itâs shelf stable. (Hollywood Farmers Market, NE 45th & NE Hancock, Saturdays 9 am-1 pm)
The St. Johns Farmers Market will open a mini community pantry with âtake what you need, or share what you canâ guidelines in place. (N Charleston and N Central, Sat Nov 1, 9 am-2 pm)
Oregon City Farmers Market offers $20 in market tokens to SNAP recipients, which becomes $40 of tokens with Oregonâs Double Up Food Bucks program. At the market, Sun Love Farm has added a 30 percent discount for SNAP recipients with tokens, to help âstretch those tokens even further.â (Oregon City Farmers Market is held in Oregon City, on the Clackamas Community College campus, at Green Lots #1 off Clairmont Dr, between S Beavercreek Rd and N Douglas Loop, Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm)
Restaurants, Cafes, and Other Small Businesses
Serves three meals Monday-Saturday in their Old Town cafe. Breakfast is 6:30 am-7:25 am, Lunch is 11:30 am-12:25 pm, and Dinner is 5 pm-5:55 pm. Closed on Sundays, but gives out sack lunches on Saturday. (310 NW Glisan, Mon-Sat)
Children who rely on SNAP can receive a free kids cheeseburger or hamburger basket at any Burgerville location from 7 am-11 pm, November 3â9 (or until SNAP benefits are reinstated). No purchase necessary / available to any parent with a child present; bring SNAP card. Guests who are able are encouraged to round up their order total to benefit local food banks. Burgerville will donate 20% of all sales on November 10 from 4 pm-8 pm to local food banks. For locations and hours, check locations.burgerville.com.
Cafe Olli offers a sliding scale community meal ($0-$14) any day the restaurant is open. A recent social media post reminded folks that theyâve always offered âsomething nutritious and warmingâ and tried to meet people at what they can afford to pay. (925 NE MLK, Thurs-Sat: 9 am-3 pm; 5 pm-9 pm, Sun: 9 am-3 pm)
For the month of November, those affected by SNAP changes are invited to "come in and enjoy free pupusitas. No questions, no judgment, just a warm meal and a reminder that this community cares about youâ at Salvi PDX. The Salvadoran restaurant is located in Ground Breaker Brewing, and the free pupusitas are served from 9 am-noon, daily. (Ground Breaker Brewing, 2030 SE 7th, 9 am-noon, daily)
These handmade pasta makers promise that until SNAP benefits are fully funded once more, children can receive a free meal on the house. No purchase necessary / bring SNAP card. For locations and hours, check out grassapdx.com/locations.
Until families receive their SNAP benefits again, the folks at Delicious Donuts are "offering free donuts, coffee, or breakfast items for anyone who needs a little extra support." They announced anyone who needed a free donut, coffee, or breakfast item could simply ask for a community treat to receive one. "No questions asked, no purchase!" (12 SE Grand, Tues-Fri: 5 am-1 pm, Sat: 5 am-noon)
Last Wednesday, Miranda Luis-Silva of Nanâs Taqueria posted a video inviting folks dealing with food insecurity to simply text for a meal for your family. All she needed to know was the size of their family and any food restrictions. âLet me know how many people are in your family, and weâll just treat it like a to-go order,â she says in the video. She also asked those with extra ingredientsâwhich she could make into mealsâto consider bringing those in to keep separately in her restaurantâs cooler, saying âwe can come together and feed families that are hungry.â Luis-Silva's work to feed folks started with her number, turned into an email, and now there's a formâshe's moving forward at an inspiring paceâso check the food cart's Instagram for the latest info. (Sunnysides the Last Sip Food Hall, 15640 SE Happy Valley Town Center Drive, Happy Valley, 11 am-9 pm)
This Hawthorne food cart put out the call that they will feed seniors and children relying on SNAP who lose benefits. The catch: if you want to support them with a donation, you have to come in person. âI want to take a picture of all the donors for full transparency," owner Jeff Chow wrote on a social media post. For those who don't want to ask for a free meal, you can just say "pans" and they'll hook it up. (3757 SE Hawthorne, Thurs & Fri: 12-6 pm or sell out, Sat & Sun: 12-5 pm or sell out)
This North Portland antique store just started keeping a Take What You Need, Give What You Can shelf.(8112 N Denver, Fri-Sun: 11-5 pm)
Delicious soupers and Beaverton bar the 649 re-upped to the world that theyâve been giving away soup to those in need since the 2020 pandemic shutdown. âIf you need a meal, steal the soup,â they wrote on a social postâthough we think you should ask for the soup, at least the first time. (18647 SW Farmington, Beaverton, Oregon, Mon-Thu 2 pm-11 pm, Fri & Sat noon-1 pm, Sun noon-11 pm)
Milk Crate Kitchen will be familiar to readers for their established work delivering four-person meals during pandemic shut down. What began with a laid off chef, Michael Casper, making premade dinners for his friends has since blossomed into a local nonprofit that regularly delivers meals (and "a night of not having to cook") to those requestingâno cost, no questions. As folks anticipated the November cutoff, Milk Crate announced it had attempted to raise its cap on reserved meals, but its âlist filled with 100 of 100 signups within 28 minutes.â Their next premade meal offering opens November 12, but keep an eye on them because this scrappy team always has something up their sleeve or volunteer to help with the scrappinâ.
Know of a resource we should add here? Email news@portlandmercury.com with the details.
