Food for February 4

Origins:

Food for February: You Donate. We Match. In 2011, Newport Avenue Market launched Food for February, a program dedicated to addressing food insecurity across Central Oregon. Since then, the program has raised over $559,000 for hungry families, including $248,863 in matching funds from Newport Avenue Market and Oliver Lemon’s Grocery Store. The program is simple: Each December, Newport invites customers to participate in the Food for February fundraiser by asking them to make a donation at the register. At the end of the month, Newport tallies the total customer donations and matches the funds. Then in February, a particularly challenging month for hungry families, the total money raised is used to purchase food in bulk at wholesale prices. This food is then donated to local food kitchens. “The relationship with Newport pumps lifeblood into our program,” said Donna Burklo, Executive Director of Family Kitchen. “The donation in itself is amazing, and then having the ability to stretch that money even farther by getting food at wholesale pricing is giving us the ability to feed thousands of hungry families.” February is a particularly challenging month for hungry families in Central Oregon, which has a population of over 260,000. Finances are tight after the holidays, donations decrease, and food pantries are running low. Because of this, Newport Avenue Market continues to make this annual fundraiser a company priority.

Contribution:

Every year, Newport’s community of shoppers are excited to contribute in such an easy way. “It’s an easy add-on to my weekly grocery shopping,” said Stephanie Anderson Stroup, a regular Newport shopper. “I especially love that my money is matched dollar for dollar by the store–it takes a village and Newport absolutely embodies that spirit.” Employees are a key part of the success of the program. Every employee is committed to asking each shopper if they would like to contribute, which amplifies the opportunity for shoppers to say YES. Last year, thousands of Newport shoppers contributed to Food for February, raising over $36,000. With Newport’s and Oliver Lemon’s matching contribution, $72,250 of wholesale food was contributed to our community partners at Family Kitchen in Bend, Redmond, and Sisters, as well as Sisters Kiwanis Foodbank.

Objectives:

Before the pandemic, one in 11 Oregonians were food insecure, uncertain about where their next meal would come from. Today, one in five people throughout the state faces hunger. It is with these startling statistics in mind that Newport’s leadership and employee owners have agreed upon the following objectives:
● Engage the community in the giving process.
● Grow the number of donors and total customer donations year over year.
● Increase the total donation to our partner organizations every year.
● Give to local organizations that are helping our local community.

“It feels good when the community gives to the community,” said Joe Anzaldo, General Manager at Newport. “We want this program to outpace itself, in all of our objectives, year over year.”

Impact:

We measure success by evaluating our impact. Since 2011, over $559,750 has been raised for hungry families in Central Oregon, including $248,863 in matching funds from Newport Avenue Market and Oliver Lemon’s. These funds were used to purchase items on the food kitchens’ wish lists such as milk, eggs, lunch meats, cheese, fruits, proteins, vegetables, hot dogs, and other miscellaneous items. Through collaboration with United Grocers and other in-store brands, Newport has extended its donations, enabling the purchase of more food in bulk at wholesale prices. This program has been highly successful, largely thanks to Newport's loyal and generous customers, who have played a crucial role in supporting the program and helping to feed hungry families in their own neighborhoods.

Quote:

“Over $72,250 this year! Those dollars bought groceries at cost from Newport Avenue Market and our vendors, to create meals for the ENTIRE YEAR at Family Kitchen and Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank. Just another reminder of how totally cool (and caring) our loyal customers are! One thing we can do is count on our customers to support our community with their generosity, and this year’s Food for February was no exception!” –Lauren G. R. Johnson, Leader of the Pack (vrrrooom!) & CEO of Newport Avenue Market

Support Statement:

“I can’t tell you how much it means to be supported by the Food for February program in all of our locations,” said Donna Burklo, Executive Director of Family Kitchen. “Now community members are teaming up with their local markets to put quality ingredients at the center of the table for operations in Bend, Sisters, and Redmond. Really good food for our whole community – it’s beautiful!”