Frequently asked questions and food for families policy

What is Food for Families?

Food for Families is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Food for Families is a mobile food pantry/mobile market that provides groceries to families and is a partner agency with the Oregon Food Bank.
Food for Families was started by Centennial High School students, the students were members of the academic organization Future Business Leaders of America. The students wrote the business plan, developed the business model, and learned essential business concepts.

Why are there so many high school students?

Food for Families was started by high school students at Centennial High School. CHS students are very civic minded and are eager to help the community. Student groups that have been involved in volunteering have been Key Club, FBLA, Thespians, National Honor Society, Life Skills, SkillsUSA, and Manufacturing.
By participating in Food for Families, students are learning life and career skills, such as: customer service, time management, communication, and team work. In addition, students are getting experience that they can put on resumes for college and/or career.

*The Fine Print*

Food for Families is operating in conjunction with the Centennial School District, inclement weather closures will be announced via our Facebook page and Twitter. If the Centennial School District has cancelled events for the evening or is closed due to weather, Food for Families will not operate as scheduled.
When possible volunteers that speak languages other than English will be available (Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Hmong to name a few).
Food for Families is operated out of a retired school bus. Clients are asked to wait in line outside of the bus. We ask that clients dress appropriate for the weather (jackets, gloves, hats, waterproof shoes, umbrellas, etc.) and wear clothing that can be seen at night.
No public restrooms are available.
No tickets are needed.

Is this really an old school bus?

Yes! The Centennial School District donated a retired school bus to Food for Families for the pantry. The Metal & Manufacturing students removed all the seats and installed shelving. The pantry (bus) actually surprises almost everyone as it is more spacious inside than one might think!
Visitors enter through the front door and exit out the back via a ramp.

What volunteer opportunities are available?

Most popular is our personal shopper, volunteers guide clients through the pantry and assist with grocery selection. Personal shoppers assist on distribution days and a shift is approximately three hours. This includes an orientation and assisting with clean up.
The management team is always looking for additional volunteers. It would be ideal to find additional bus drivers with a CDL Class B driver’s license. In addition, Food for Families could use assistance with grant writing, administration tasks, and finances. Please email us directly at pdxfood4fams@gmail.com if you are interested.

How can I volunteer?

Anyone that is 14 years of age (or a freshman in high school) or older may volunteer. Each volunteer must complete a simple volunteer training program. This consists of reviewing materials provided by Oregon Food Bank, completing necessary waivers (if under the age of 18 a parent/guardian signature is required), and reviewing volunteer tasks with Pantry Coordinator.
All volunteers are asked to use the online volunteer form to sign up. The form can be found on this website.
Please see the Take Action! Tab on this website for more information.
You can reach our Pantry Coordinator via email at pdxfood4fams@gmail.com for additional information.

What are your greatest needs as an organization? How can I help?

The management team is always looking for additional volunteers. It would be ideal to find additional bus drivers with a CDL Class B driver’s license, one that could drive a school bus, and pass a background check. In addition, Food for Families could use assistance with grant writing, administration tasks, and finances. Please email us directly at pdxfood4fams@gmail.com if you are interested.
The organization is always looking for shelf stable donations. Especially oils, flour, canned proteins, spices, and shelf stable milk. In addition to, diapers, dog/cat food, personal hygiene products, and feminine hygiene products.
Food for Families is always looking for canvas grocery bags, quart and gallon Zip Lock bags, latex and/or plastic gloves, and produce bags.
Do you use www.amazon.com for your online purchases? When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Food for Families Inc. Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/32-0450054 and support us every time you shop.
Cash donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible.

When and where are distributions?

For the most part, distributions are the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, with a few exceptions. Please visit the Schedule Tab on this website for exact dates.
Current distributions are scheduled at Centennial High School in the south parking lot. The bus/pantry will be parked near the traffic light on 181st.
Distribution times are scheduled 4:30pm-6:30pm.

How can I receive services?

Food for Families is a partner agency with the Oregon Food Bank and is a self-declare organization, meaning you declare your need. There is no verification process of address, identification, or income. It is understood that families have unexpected needs and Food for Families can be a resource for all families in the community.
Families are asked to arrive the day of the distribution, wait in line, and families are then assisted on a first come first served basis.

How does getting groceries work?

Families are asked to bring several grocery bags with them, if you have access to canvas bags, those work the best.
Food for Families is a partner agency with the Oregon Food Bank and is a self-declare organization, meaning you declare your need. There is no verification process of address, identification, or income. Families are asked to arrive the day of the distribution, wait in line, and families are assisted on a first come first served basis.
Families will sign-in on the clipboard and be assigned a shape (square, triangle, or circle). The shape is based on the size of your family and will be used to identify quantities as you shop.
You will enter through the front of the bus with your personal shopper and begin shopping for groceries. It generally takes 10-15 minutes to shop with your personal shopper. Your family can expect to receive fresh produce, dairy, meat, and a selection of shelf stable items.
You will exit via a ramp out the back of the bus once you are done.

Can I pick up groceries for someone else?

To accommodate the number of families that attend distributions, Food for Families asks that anyone that would like to receive groceries needs to be present.
Some families or individuals are unable to make distributions during the schedule dates and times because of transportation issues, schedule conflicts, or mobility issues.
The Pantry Coordinator is available to provide those families and individuals with alternative resources in the area. You can reach our Pantry Coordinator via email at pdxfood4fams@gmail.com. Please visit the Resources Tab on this website for additional information.

How old do you have to be to receive groceries?

The organization asks that family representatives be in high school (a minimum of 14 years old) to receive groceries for the family.

How much food can I get?

Your family can expect to receive fresh produce, dairy, meat, and a selection of shelf stable items. Each family should expect to receive a 3-5 day supply of groceries and/or approximately 50lbs of food per family.

I am homeless, can you help?

Food for Families is a partner agency with the Oregon Food Bank and is a self-declare organization, meaning you declare your need. There is no verification process of address, identification, or income.
Food for Families is an equal opportunity provider.
Our organization can be a resource to assist you, however we can only provide groceries. You and your family can select from any number of grocery items that are available at the time of distribution.
The Pantry Coordinator is available to provide those families and individuals with alternative resources in the area. You can reach our Pantry Coordinator via email at pdxfood4fams@gmail.com . Please visit the Resources Tab on this website for additional information.

I can’t make it to distributions because of…

It is understood that some families or individuals are unable to make distributions during the schedule dates and times because of transportation issues, schedule conflicts, or mobility issues. The Pantry Coordinator is available to provide those families and individuals with alternative resources in the area. You can reach our Pantry Coordinator via email at pdxfood4fams@gmail.com. Please visit the Resources Tab on this website for additional information.
The Food for Families distribution dates and times can be found on this website under the Schedule Tab. This allows for families and individuals to plan accordingly.
To accommodate the number of families that attend distributions, Food for Families asks that anyone that would like to receive groceries be present. Several families wait in line for extended periods of time, to be fair to all, only families present will receive groceries.

The allocations are not enough for my family...

Due to the current model, our management team estimates the number of families that will attend each distribution. Food for Families currently serve 75-80 families each distribution. Some distributions are less. Some distributions are more. The executive team does their best each distribution to ensure that each family receives a 3-5 day supply of groceries. Depending on personal food choices, that may look different from family to family.
Food for Families is one of many resources, the Pantry Coordinator is available to provide those families and individuals with alternative resources in the area. You can reach our Pantry Coordinator via email at pdxfood4fams@gmail.com . Please visit the Resources Tab on this website for additional information.

Do you have Emergency Food Boxes?

Food for Families has an extremely limited number of Emergency Food Boxes and they are given in the most extreme situations to students/families of Centennial School District only.
The Pantry Coordinator is available to provide those families and individuals with alternative resources in the area. You can reach our Pantry Coordinator via email at pdxfood4fams@gmail.com . Please visit the Resources Tab on this website for additional information.