BEND, OR -- The Bend Food Project hit the 1-million-pound mark of donated food at their monthly collection day.

Ranae Staley, Executive Director at The Giving Plate, who works closely with the Bend Food Project, says the milestone is very impressive, “This to me every time I see makes me emotional. It is the power of community. Each of these green bags represents somebody in our community filling it. Some people fill two. Everyone doing a little, does a lot.”

Bend Food Project’s green bags are picked up the 2nd and 3rd Saturdays of every even month. Neighborhood coordinators pick up bags and take them to the collection site or local food banks, like the Giving Plate.

“Just fill a green bag. Every other month we collect them and bring them all together. Together we can make a big impact. BendFoodProject.com is where you can learn more about the Bend Food Project,” says Staley.

The next pick-up is scheduled for this Saturday the 15th.