Wheeler councillors weigh options as North Coast Food Bank plans to close local site Sept. 30

WHEELER, Ore. — Councilors heard an update on Aug. 19 that the North Coast Food Bank is scheduled to close its location on Hospital Road on Sept. 30 and currently lacks an identified relocation site.

Councilor Leverett (packet author) told the council the food bank serves about 70 families per week and distributes roughly 6,000 pounds of food monthly. She said the food bank’s board has considered a property behind a local thrift store but had not been granted demolition permits there, and an architect’s full-build estimate for a permanent two‑story facility was approximately $800,000.

Councilors discussed short-term options including offering City Hall space temporarily, leasing or buying a site, or using modular units to house distribution while a permanent location is found. The mayor and several councilors noted the city hall building’s estimated market value in the discussion and that the food bank has some savings.

Councilors agreed the city should explore options and flagged the broader issue that Wheeler is functionally a food desert with limited retail food options. Staff and councilors said they would follow up with state representatives and community partners to seek funding and help identify an interim solution.

Why it matters: The food bank serves…