Yamhill County Braces for SNAP Cuts: Here’s Where to Find and Offer Help

Updated Thursday, Nov. 6 at 1:19 p.m. to include more locations offering assistance.

NEWBERG, Ore. — Some Yamhill County neighbors are preparing for limited funds for groceries this month due to the federal government shutdown and subsequent lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits. Here’s where people can eat for free, and how residents can donate or support the cause.

The Trump administration announced that food stamps 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.

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.

Jere Witherspoon, student care and student life operations specialist at George Fox University, has worked with the school’s Bruin Community Pantry for six years.

“We have already been affected in the month of September,” Witherspoon said. “It’s crazy, and it’s only getting worse.”

Witherspoon said the pantry typically serves between 600 and 800 people per month, but saw 1,040 unique visitors in September. She said she always keeps rice and beans in stock, but used to have more to offer.

“All the way back to March, Yamhill County was supposed to get 44,000 pounds of frozen meat products — usually chicken, turkey, pork, beef, something like that,” Witherspoon said. “It was canceled. It’s sad, and it’s not going to get any better.”

She said people can drop off 100 pounds of food at her pantry, and it’s gone the next day.

“It really does change the shape of our country, and they’re letting it happen. It’s quite frightening,” Witherspoon said. “I cannot provide the kinds of food that families need because I’m providing one bag. It’s heartbreaking … the heartbreaking thing is when kids come in too. You know that they’re really hurting.”

Witherspoon urged those able to donate to the Yamhill Community Action Partnership, or YCAP, which can buy in bulk and distribute food throughout the county’s hunger relief network.

Area restaurants are also finding ways to help.

Ray 2 Z Cooking, a locally owned and operated meal prepping food delivery service, announced it would accept applications for free food assistance and begin taking donations to help feed community members experiencing food insecurity. Families will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, according to a social media post.

Dos Mundos Mexican American Cuisine also announced it would provide free meals for children under 12, with an option for customers to “pay it forward” to help cover the cost of those meals.

“This isn’t about politics,” the restaurant wrote in an Oct. 29 post. “We can always have those talks in person — with respect and an open heart. This is simply us knocking on your door to ask: Does anyone need a little help right now?”

12 Places to Donate or Find Free Food in the Newberg Area

Newberg residents can find free dinners and food pantries at several local locations. Many are closed on Thanksgiving Day, so check hours, donate if you can, and call ahead to confirm eligibility.

1. Newberg Friends in Service to Humanity (FISH)
   FISH provides monthly food boxes to eligible individuals and families who live in Newberg and meet certain income requirements. It’s open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and every third Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 125 S. Elliott Road, Ste. A. Call 503-538-4444.
   The all-volunteer nonprofit, founded in 1970, marked its 55th anniversary this year. It accepts monetary donations, food drives, volunteers, and merchant partnerships. Learn more at the Newberg FISH website.
2. Northwest Christian Church Community Kitchen
   Offers free hot meals on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. and a food pantry from 4 to 6 p.m. The Newberg campus is located in the gym at 2315 Villa Road, with another location in McMinnville.
   Since 2005, volunteers have served more than 50,000 meals. The church accepts food, equipment, and monetary donations. Call 503-538-3104.
3. Bruin Community Pantry (George Fox University)
   Open Mondays through Fridays at varying hours. Students and community members can receive one grocery bag of food per week. Call 503-554-2316.
   Donations of nonperishable food and essential toiletries can be dropped off at 1404 E. Sherman St., Lewis Apartment #1. Volunteers are needed to unload the weekly food truck and organize shelves.
4. Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
   Offers a free food market open to anyone in need, with no income verification required. Fresh produce and pantry staples are available. Bring reusable bags.
   The market operates every Tuesday in November from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Thursdays, Nov. 6, 13, and 20, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Call 971-281-3000.
5. St. Peter’s Parish
   Offers free community suppers to go every Friday at 5:30 p.m. at 2315 N. Main St. Volunteers and donations are welcome. Call 503-201-5107.
6. River Street Church
   Hosts Simple Suppers every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 715 S. River St. The church partners with Love INC Newberg to supply the meals and also offers toiletries and showers from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. before dinner. Volunteers are welcome. Call 503-538-4117.
7. Joyful Servant Lutheran Church
   Provides free meals on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 5 to 6 p.m. at 1716 N. Villa Road. Call 503-538-0475.
8. Historic Dundee Community Center
   Offers a food pantry and community dinners on the last Wednesday of each month at 1026 S.W. Highway 99W, Dundee. The center is owned and operated by the Dundee Women’s Club, founded in 1915. The zero-waste pantry donates unconsumed food for animal feed or composting. Volunteers and donations are welcome. Call 503-550-0862.
9. The Promise Church
   Provides a food pantry on Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. at 23330 Full Quartz Landing in Dundee. Donations are accepted. Call 503-554-9070.
10. Yamhill Community Action Partnership (YCAP)
    A regional food bank distributor in McMinnville, YCAP supplies food to 17 emergency food pantries and six hot meal sites countywide. Donations of commercially packaged food are accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 503-687-1472 for food assistance information.
11. Dos Mundos Mexican American Cuisine
    Offering free meals for kids under 12 at 2305-C Portland Road. Children must be present and may receive one meal per day from the kids’ menu while supplies last during the SNAP shutdown. The restaurant accepts “pay-it-forward” donations to cover meals. Call 971-716-8789.
12. Feed Newberg Community Kitchen
    Northside Community Church offers free meals to the community from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday with no registration or ID required. Administrative Pastor Stephany Coblentz said the community kitchen needs more regular volunteers to help with everything from greeting to serving to cooking to clean up.
    She said just due to need, volunteers should plan to show up around 6 p.m. and conclude volunuteer service after 8:30 p.m. They also accept unopened, unexpired food donations and monetary contributions.
13. It’s Party Time Catering
    They are handing out our prepared take and go meals on Wednesday and Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m. at 111 E. 1st St Newberg. They have a limited stock each day. The meals are for anyone in need, and can also delivery by contacting owner Viki Dyrdahl at (503) 703-5488.
14. Coffee Cat Coffeehouse
    Coffee Cat Coffeehouse has prepared meal packs for residents in need. The coffeeshop is open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily and can deliver food if needed. Call (503) 538-5384 for more information.
15. Chapters Books & Coffee
    Chapters Books & Coffee is offering free coffee to anyone who needs it. Ask the barista to add your drink to the shutdown tab. Customers can also contribute to the shutdown tab.

Newsberg Founding Editor Branden Andersen contributed to reporting for this article.

This story will update as more information comes in. Follow @newsberg_ on Instagram, or subscribe to the newsletter to stay updated.