Here’s where to find free food or donate in Sherwood
Food assistance is stalling in Oregon this November
This article has been updated
SHERWOOD, Ore. — Some Sherwoodian residents are experiencing limited grocery funds this month due to the federal government shutdown, which included a lapse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP food assistance benefits.
Here’s where some people can eat for free, donate, or support the cause in Sherwood. Statewide, anyone can check the Oregon Food Bank map for more resources.
The federal administration announced that food assistance will not be paid out starting Nov. 1 due to the federal government shutdown — including in Oregon. Dozens of states are suing the administration over the cuts, and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is demanding that the U.S. Department of Agriculture continue SNAP benefits despite the shutdown.
Although a federal judge issued an order for the Trump administration to use emergency funds to pay food benefits in November, it did not come soon enough to prevent the immediate lapse of benefits, which officials say could take weeks to resume, according to Politico. According to NPR, SNAP benefits will restart, but will be delayed and will be only half of the normal payment, as of press time.
The change leaves about one in six Oregonians — roughly 757,000 people — without access to their regular SNAP benefits, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services, just before the holidays.
Melody Danner is the Sherwood YMCA's leader of social responsibility. She said the YMCA's weekly food pantry accepts canned food donations during operating hours.
"Over the last month, we've seen about a 30% increase in people coming to see us, and this week we did have a dip in the food that was available to us ... I'm hoping it's just a weird week," Danner said. "The longer SNAP benefits are delayed, the longer it's going to take families to recover from that financially ... so support is really important right now."
Danner said the YMCA has more volunteers than it can use, but she hopes the community can continue to look out for its neighbors.
"If somebody notices that their neighbor may be bringing in fewer groceries than they're used to seeing, or anything like that, most of the food pantries around here will allow people to pick up for their neighbors, so that's one way they can support each other," Danner said.
Local restaurants are also finding ways to help, like Fat Milo’s, which is creating a Community Gift Card program at both its Sherwood and Portland locations, as well as aiming to launch a community food pantry at 16147 S.W. Railroad St., Sherwood. According to its Instagram, anyone who needs a meal can come by and order from the community menu regardless of their ability to pay. Anyone who wants to help can contribute to the gift card program, which will go toward the cost of providing these $10 meals for free.
8 places to find, donate food in and near Sherwood
- Good Neighbor Family Pantry
This pantry offers gleaning and food recovery, referring to the collection and distribution of edible food to minimize waste, at Heart 2 Heart Farms. Volunteers get first pick of the salvage from distributors. The nonprofit also accepts monetary donations.
21555 S.W. Hells Canyon Rd., Sherwood
www.goodneighborfamilypantry.org
503-554-0630
- Helping Hands Sherwood Food Pantry
This pantry offers food assistance to those in need in Sherwood, including a monthly food pantry and backpack weekend meals program for local students. The community is welcome to volunteer packing food boxes, or donate food or money. This food pantry operates on the third Saturday of each month from 9-10 a.m. at Sherwood United Methodist Church.
22280 S.W. Washington St., Sherwood.
www.helping-hands-sherwood.org
503-625-7975
- Willowbrook Food Pantry
Willowbrook serves families in Sherwood, Tualatin, and Tigard with a free pantry grocery store offering meat, vegetables, and dairy. It partners with the Oregon Food Bank and accepts donations from churches and annual food drives. Volunteers are welcome. Pantry hours are Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9-11 a.m. Proof of Oregon residency is required.
19200 S.W. Edy Rd., Sherwood
www.journeysherwood.org/willowbrook
971-832-1688
- St. Francis Food Pantry
All shoppers are welcome to the St. Francis Food pantry as often as needed. Donations and volunteers hosting food drives are welcome. Pantry hours are Wednesdays from 9-10:45 a.m. and 5-6:45 p.m., and Thursdays from 9-10:45 a.m.
St. Francis Community Hall, 15659 S.W. Oregon St., Sherwood
www.stfrancissherwood.org/social-action-ministries
503-625-7067
- St. Paul Lutheran Church Food Pantry
This church food pantry offers food support and accepts non-perishable donations. Learn more at the Possible with God page.
17500 S.W. Cedarview Way., Sherwood
www.stpaulsherwood.org/st-paul-lutheran-church-food-pantry
503-625-6648
- Sherwood YMCA Food Pantry
This drive-up pantry offers fresh produce, frozen foods, and bread on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-noon. There are no requirements to receive food here.
23000 S.W. Pacific Hwy., Sherwood
www.ymcacw.org/programs/community-programs/y-food-support
503-625-9622
- Sherwood SHARE Center
The Sherwood SHARE Center offers resources and support, as well as a clothing closet and food pantry by appointment, through the local Sherwood School District. It accepts volunteers and donations of gently used kids clothes, gift cards, school supplies, diapers, toiletries, and money.
21920 S.W. Sherwood Blvd.
sherwood.k12.or.us/resources/share-center
503-825-5085
- Gap Ministry by Love, Inc.
Serving Tigard, Tualatin, and Sherwood, this program helps all ages and anyone in need with home goods, personal hygiene, emergency food, diapers, and formula. It is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
11820 S.W. King James Pl., Ste. 10 G, King City
503-443-6888
