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Forest Grove backpack program reports 2,678 food bags provided since January
Summary
The Forest Grove Backpack Program (operating from the Elks Lodge) told the CEP committee it has distributed 2,678 food bags to students across 14 schools since receiving a $20,000 CEG grant, spent $10,346.84 to date, and is pursuing additional funding to sustain service through the next school year.
Representatives of the Forest Grove Backpack Program reported to the CEP committee that the program has distributed 2,678 bags of food to students in the Forest Grove School District since receiving a CEG grant on Jan. 26, 2026.
"My name is Danielle. This is Heather and Nicole, and we are the face of the Forest Grove backpack program," said Danielle. She said the program packs and delivers food bags to 14 schools weekly, serving between 129 and 146 students each week and providing specialized items for students with dietary restrictions.
Danielle reported the program has spent $10,346.84 of the $20,000 grant to date, has received about $8,197 in donated food and $243 in cash donations, and raised $1,087 from a 50/50 raffle. She said the program expects current funds will carry operations through the end of January and that staff and volunteers are applying for additional grants and soliciting donations to sustain the program into the 2026–27 school year.
Committee members thanked volunteers and asked staff to share more detailed locality data for survey responses and program participants when available. The program noted it routinely receives support from local sources including the Elks Lodge and Sodexo.
Next steps: program representatives will continue fundraising and were asked to provide more detailed breakdowns of how many beneficiary businesses or participants are located specifically within Forest Grove versus neighboring cities.
