September is Hunger Action Month, a yearly opportunity to reflect on the work that has been done in the past year to feed our fellow Oregonians, and a call to action for all the work left to be done.

Hunger is a policy choice - it doesn’t come from a lack of food or personal failure. It’s the result of policy choices about jobs, wages, housing, healthcare and where resources go.

• Rent prices rise faster than wages: From 2024 to 2025, the minimum wage in Oregon increased by about 2% while state law allowed rent prices to increase by up to 10%.

• Healthcare costs keep climbing: Oregonians are spending more than $9,000 per person on healthcare each year — 40% more than in 2015.

• Parents stretch paychecks to cover child care: The average annual cost of infant care in Oregon is more than 50% higher than in-state college tuition.

• The wealth gap is widening: The wealthiest 10% of Oregonians own more than 75% of wealth in the state.

Over 70,000 Oregonians are now at risk of losing the food assistance they rely on. 

In just two years, visits to the Oregon Food Bank Network rose 51%, reaching a record 2.9 million visits last year. Last year, the Oregon Food Bank Network distributed over 98 million meals.  We also know we can’t end hunger with food alone. Our Network can serve everyone in line at a meal site or pantry today, but if we don’t address big issues like unaffordable housing, low wages, health care costs and barriers to SNAP, those lines will still be there tomorrow.

How to get involved this Hunger Action Month 2026 in Oregon:

• Support policies that end hunger: Get updates about how you can help pass laws that make it easier for Oregonians to put food on the table.

• Donate: Your gift can keep food flowing to families across Oregon.

• Share on social media: Spread the word about Hunger Action Month and encourage your friends and neighbors to take action on social media.

• Volunteer: Sign up for a volunteer shift to support access to food that feels like home.

• Join the Hunger Action Fundraising Challenge: Rally your community and raise funds to help meet the growing need in Oregon.