Feed the Need: Linn Benton Food Share launches emergency fundraiser to meet rising needs following SNAP delays

Albany, OR — November 7, 2025 — Linn Benton Food Share (LBFS) is calling on the community to step up during an unprecedented time of need. Due to recent SNAP benefit delays, LBFS is spending more than five times its usual monthly budget to keep 68 local food pantries and meal sites stocked.

To meet this urgent demand, LBFS has launched the Feed the Need Challenge, aiming to raise $300,000 by December 31. These funds will cover emergency food purchases between November 1 and December 31, ensuring that everybody eats during this critical period.

“Food demand is at an all-time high,” said Ryan McCambridge, Director of Linn Benton Food Share. “Over 15,000 people are currently relying on emergency food boxes each month in our region—and the need grows daily. When federal support falls short, neighbors step up. This campaign is a testament to the power of community.”

Over the past several months, LBFS anticipated rising demand and costs, especially with the looming threat of a federal government shutdown. In preparation, the food share increased its monthly budget from approximately $30,000 to $70,000 starting in July.

Now, more than 30 days into the shutdown and following the added strain of SNAP benefit delays, LBFS has had to increase its budget again, allocating over $300,000 for November and December. These funds are critical to maintaining adequate food reserves and meeting the growing need at meal site and food pantries it supports across the two-county region.

The good news, as of the morning of Friday, November 7^th, Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) announced that November SNAP benefits were fully allocated. However, This doesn’t erase weeks of hardship, the impacts of the ongoing government shutdown, or the reality that many consistently rely on the

LBFS food network for support every month, especially going into winter and holiday months. And nonetheless, the stability of future SNAP benefits is still unknown as the federal shutdown continues.

Currently, LBFS is distributing about 100,000 pounds of food per week to its network. This includes frozen and shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy, meat, and other household staples.

Since the SNAP delays were announced, LBFS already received over $100,000 in tremendous community support, and over 7 truckloads worth of food from corporate partners. Generous contributors include:

• Starker Forests

• Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation

• Albany Target Distribution Center

• Stahlbush Island Farms
• Marjorie McDowell

LBFS invites donors, partners, and community members to be part of the solution. Your gift today ensures “Everybody Eats”.

Donate now at givebutter.com/LBFSFeedTheNeed and help reach the $300,000 goal by December 31.

About Linn Benton Food Share

Linn Benton Food Share is a program of Community Services Consortium. It is the regional food hub serving Linn and Benton counties, distributing millions of pounds of food annually to local pantries and meal sites. Our mission is simple: to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry, or simply, that “Everybody Eats”.