Who we help
1 in 12 Portland-area residents
Working families, seniors on fixed income, single parents, students, refugees + immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, hospice patients, recovery + reentry program participants. Food insecurity is closer to home than most people realize.
1 in 12
Portland-area residents we serve
85k
Unduplicated individuals served annually
32%
Of recipients are children under 18
18%
Are seniors (65+)
Working families
The largest group we serve
Working families with children
55% of our recipients are working families. Most have at least one full-time job. Wages + benefits don’t cover food costs after rent + utilities + transportation. Working poverty is real in Portland.
Single parents
Single parent households disproportionately need food assistance. Especially mothers (single fathers also; less common). Many work multiple jobs; food assistance bridges gap.
Two-income families struggling
Two-income families increasingly need food assistance. Portland rent + housing costs increased 60%+ in last decade. Childcare costs increased. Food costs squeezed. Two incomes still insufficient for many.
Newly unemployed
Job loss situations: layoffs, plant closures, career transitions. Often temporary; people use food assistance for 3-6 months while finding new employment. Some return to volunteer; some never need us again.
Underemployed (gig + part-time + seasonal)
Gig economy, part-time work, seasonal industries. Income volatile + insufficient. Food assistance bridges between paychecks. Growing segment of our recipients.
Stories
Maria — single mom of 3, works 2 jobs, uses church food pantry weekly to make ends meet. The Hernandez family — 2 incomes but $3k+/month rent leaves little for food. James — recently divorced, child support delayed, needs help while restoring stability.
Seniors + retirees
Aging on fixed income
Social Security retirees
18% of recipients are 65+. Most on fixed Social Security income. Decreasing purchasing power as inflation rises. Some have small pensions; many don’t. Food assistance bridges the gap.
Senior nutrition + health
Senior food assistance includes nutrition-rich foods (produce, lean protein) for chronic disease management. Many seniors have diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease — food choices matter for health.
Mobility-limited seniors
Some seniors can’t easily access food sources. Senior delivery programs through partner organizations get food to them. Particularly valuable for housebound seniors + those without family support.
Senior advocacy
We participate in Oregon senior policy advocacy. SNAP + senior-specific assistance program access. Older Americans Act funding advocacy. Local + state policy engagement.
Age-friendly food choices
Easy-to-prepare items for seniors with limited cooking capacity. Smaller portions for solo seniors. Cultural considerations (some immigrant senior populations).
Stories
Eleanor — 78, widowed, lives alone, $1,400/month Social Security. Uses local pantry weekly for fresh produce + essentials. Robert — Vietnam veteran, retirement income insufficient with rising medical costs. Margaret — daughter helps with shopping; pantry helps stretch dollars.
Children + families
32% are kids under 18
Children in food-insecure households
32% of our recipients are children. Children in food-insecure households face increased risk of: developmental delays, behavioral issues, academic struggles, poor health outcomes. Long-term consequences are real.
School-age children — partner programs
Many partner programs serve school-age kids: school food pantries, weekend backpack programs, summer feeding programs. School + summer meals are critical; we support partner organizations operating these programs.
Refugee + immigrant children
Children of refugee + immigrant families. Sometimes families are recently arrived; food assistance is especially important during stability-building period.
Foster + adoption families
Foster + adoption families with children with food needs. Specific programs through partner organizations for foster + adoption families.
Young adults (18-24)
Specifically: students, recent graduates, young workers. Many lack stable food + housing. Specific programs for young adult populations through partner colleges + youth shelters.
Stories
The Patel family — 4 kids, both parents work, food insecurity creates daily stress. Carlos — 16, takes school backpack home for weekend; helps siblings. Aisha — refugee from Afghanistan, recently arrived, building stability for 3 kids.
Special populations
Specific community groups
People experiencing homelessness
Distributed through shelters + day services + outreach programs. Specific food types: easy-to-eat, ready-to-eat, durable. Hot meals at partner shelters. Approximately 8% of our recipients are unhoused.
Refugees + recent immigrants
Recent arrivals from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Venezuela, Central America, Somalia, others. Cultural food considerations + program access. Partner organizations specialize in serving specific communities.
Hospice + chronic illness patients
End-of-life patients + families. Hospice programs receive food + meal support. Chronic illness patients (diabetes, cancer treatment) — specific dietary needs accommodated.
Recovery + reentry programs
People in addiction recovery, recently incarcerated reentering society. Stability + food access supports successful reintegration. Partner programs include recovery housing + reentry support.
Domestic violence survivors
Women + families in shelters or recently leaving abusive situations. Specific privacy + access considerations. Partner programs include DV shelters + support services.
Veterans (specific populations)
Veterans experiencing food insecurity. Some receive VA assistance; many fall through gaps. Specific veteran programs through partner organizations.
Geographic reach
3 counties served
Multnomah County (largest)
Portland + Gresham. Largest county we serve. Most diverse population. Highest density of partner organizations. Both urban + suburban food insecurity. ~50% of our service volume.
Washington County
Beaverton + Hillsboro + Tigard + Tualatin. Tech corridor; sometimes assumed wealthy but significant food insecurity exists. ~30% of our service volume. Refugee + immigrant populations heavy here.
Clackamas County
Oregon City + West Linn + Lake Oswego + rural areas. Smaller population, more rural. Food insecurity in rural areas often hidden. ~15% of our service volume.
Limited Yamhill + Columbia counties (selective)
Selective service in adjacent counties when partner organizations request. Coordinated with Oregon Food Bank + other regional networks.
Geographic challenges
Rural areas face higher logistics costs. Suburban areas sometimes lack visible partner network. Urban areas highest concentration but also most competing service organizations. We work to fill gaps.
Coordination with other food banks
Oregon Food Bank Network — Riverbend is one of 4 regional banks (along with NW Oregon, Willamette Valley, Linn-Benton). Coordinated procurement + service area. We don’t serve outside our 3-county region; refer to other regional banks.
Recipient questions
What people ask
- If you’re struggling to afford food while paying for housing + utilities + transportation, your situation is real enough. Working families, seniors on fixed income, single parents — these are the vast majority of recipients. Don’t self-disqualify. Resources exist for situations across the spectrum.