Stayton Community Food Bank tells council demand has surged; seeks volunteers and staples

The Stayton Community Food Bank told the Stayton City Council on Nov. 3 that demand has increased sharply in recent weeks and that the nonprofit needs volunteers and staple food donations to meet clients' needs.

"We've been in existence for 47 years," Janelle Phalen said, describing the food bank's history and network of retail and civic partners. Phalen thanked Grocery Outlet, Safeway, Ross and other local businesses for regular donations and said the organization is buying some product directly from Grocery Outlet "at cost, and sometimes below that for the product we need."

Operations manager Merilee Meiners detailed day-to-day logistics and current capacity. "Right now I feel real comfortable with the amount of products that we have on our shelves," Meiners said, but she warned that if the food bank continues to serve about 60 families a day the supply of high-demand items will be strained. Meiners and Phalen identified peanut butter, mac and cheese, cereal and canned vegetables as items the pantry consistently needs.

Phalen said the food bank has had days with more than 45 families and recently had a single-day record of 59 families. She described a surge in volunteer activity: "The 40 plus volunteers that we've asked in these last 2 weeks to work relentlessly" have been handling intake, packing and retail pickups.

Council members asked about volunteer procedures and eligibility. Meiners said volunteers must be at least 18 and that Paula Taylor coordinates volunteers; interested residents should contact the food bank via their posted phone and online channels. The food bank said monetary donations are accepted at the back door and that donors can request receipts for tax purposes.

Logistics and contact information offered during the presentation: 1210 Wilco Road, open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.; back-door drop-off for donations; volunteers and donation pickups are coordinated by staff.

Phalen and Meiners repeatedly thanked local civic groups — including the Lions Club and the American Legion — and local businesses for collections and outreach efforts that sustain the pantry.

Council members responded with offers of outreach assistance and asked staff to post the food bank's flyer on the city website to increase awareness.

The presentation added context for other agenda items addressing grants and community services and concluded with an invitation for council members and residents to visit the pantry and observe operations.