Holiday Food Security

Submitted By: pattyrinehart@nehalemtel.net – Click to email about this post

North Tillamook County has several non-profit organizations whose mission is to make sure people in our area have food security. People helping at these organizations are all volunteers who devote hours and hours of their time making lists, creating recipes, cooking, cleaning, ordering, delivering meals, and so on. You cannot put a price on the joy they give and receive. This is the time of year I would like to recognize these organizations and ask that you also recognize them with your support.

Starting in Rockaway Beach we have two organizations who work on food security. Meals for Seniors Inc. (MFS) has been around for over 20 years. “Our mission is to enable the senior citizens of North Tillamook County to continue living independently in their own homes by providing access to nutritious meals and social occasions.” They both serve and deliver meals from the dining hall at St. Mary by the Sea Church, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. MFS is a federally designated non-profit with 501 (c)(3) status, Tax ID # 90-0097197. They are currently serving over 12,000 meals per year. You can help them by supporting their cause. Meals for Seniors, Inc. PO BOX 852, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136-Phone-503-317-8967

Also at Rockaway Beach is the Rockaway Beach Lions Club. They provide baskets of food for families and seniors at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their contact information is: Rockaway Beach Lions, PO Box 611, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136.

The North County Food Bank is in Wheeler. If you go to their website, North County Food Bank Tillamook Oregon, you will find out everything you need to know about the food and clothing bank. They need food, clothing, monetary donations, and volunteers, especially this time of year. You can call them to leave a message at 503-368-7724. Their mailing address is NCFB, PO Box 162, Wheeler, Oregon 97141. There is someone there on Tuesdays to receive both food and clothing.

A momentous change has come about to an organization located in Nehalem. What used to be run under the roof of Nehalem Bay United Methodist Church in Nehalem has been reorganized and is now called Nehalem Bay Community Services. (NBCS) This is the same organization which runs the CHILD Program, Nehalem Senior Lunches, Nehalem Bay Food Pantry, and the summer Munch a Lunch Program for kids. They have their own 501(c)(3) non-profit number, 93-4296849. If you would like to donate to one or more of their services, please note this information in the memo line. Many of you remember the CHILD program provides clothing at back-to-school time. This time of year, CHILD puts out tags in local businesses with requests for toys and new clothing for children at Christmas time. Senior Lunches are both served and delivered from the Nehalem Bay United Methodist Church in Nehalem on Tuesday and Thursday, 11:30-12:30. The Nehalem Bay Food pantry has food and clothing for people and dog and cat food for pets. They are open Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 10-2 and Wednesday from 1-5. The Munch-a-Lunch program works to provide breakfast and lunch meals for when school is out for the summer. Donations to Nehalem Bay Community Services can be sent to NBCS, PO Box 232, Nehalem, Oregon 97131.

The last program I’ve heard about is handled by the Nehalem Elementary School. You may drop off food to the school in Nehalem. For more information you can call 503-355-3639 Monday-Friday.

Please let me know if you need any more information on Food Security here in North Tillamook County. I would be happy to try to provide you with more information. These local organizations can always use your help, with both food and clothing, no matter what time of year it is. Thanks for helping people out.