BEND, OR -- The Giving Plate has seen a 40% increase in the number of families requesting food assistance since opening its community store in Bend last spring. Executive Director Ranae Staley says she expected some growth, "I really, though, am shocked how fast the growth came." She tells KBND News, "We have been so encouraged by how much our guests appreciate this space and the dignity it’s providing them in accessing our food relief services. But, we’re also a little shocked at the growth rate that we’re experiencing."

The new community store allows families in need to "shop" for their own groceries, instead of receiving a box of donated food selected by someone else. "We do have people who have come and say they’ve heard about us and they really need our help, and they’re so grateful they can come and not feel embarrassed to come," says Staley, "The majority of those we help are not unhoused. They’re the working poor. They’re the families next door, who are silently suffering, living paycheck by paycheck. And, they’re not as afraid to show up. They’re feeling more empowered and they’re feeling the dignity of a new shopping model." Staley says clients can visit up to twice a month, but 65% come just once a month.

Every month since opening the store in April, she says they’ve consistently served more families than 2023’s busiest month. At the same time, Staley says, they have 7% less food to offer and donations are flat. "Even with this level of growth, there’s moments when my staff and volunteers will say it felt slow, it wasn’t as chaotic as it used to be; and yet we’re serving more people." But she worries how they’ll keep up the pace heading into fall, which is typically The Giving Plate's busiest time of year. 

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