Made up of legislators, state agency representatives, and nonprofit and community leaders, the Oregon Hunger Task Force:
Researches, documents, and raises awareness about the extent of hunger in Oregon
Coordinates the provision of food and nutrition services across the state
Makes recommendations for government action for the alleviation of hunger
The Oregon Hunger Task Force was created by the State Legislature to act as a resource within government and as a statewide advocate for Oregonians who are hungry or at risk of hunger. The Task Force works collaboratively with stakeholders throughout Oregon to promote community awareness, compile research, develop proposals for government action, and conduct outreach to expand participation in federal nutrition programs.
Members of the Oregon Hunger Task Force
Donalda Dodson, Chair, Oregon Child Development Coalition
Diane Rosenbaum, Vice Chair, Former State Senator
Annie Kirschner, Director, Oregon Hunger Task Force and Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon
Liz Adams, Childhood Hunger Initiative, OHSU Child Development and Rehabilitation Center
James Barta, Children First for Oregon
Sally Bowman, Oregon State University Extension Service
John Burt, Farmers Ending Hunger
Chelsea Bunch, Oregon Housing and Community Services
Mark Edwards, Oregon State University School of Public Policy
Anne Goetze, Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council
Lauren Gottfredson, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
Rabbi Daniel Isaak, Congregation Neveh Shalom
Phillip Kennedy-Wong, Oregon Food Bank - Advocacy
Howard Kenyon, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Jacqueline Leung, Micronesian Islander Community
Dustin Melton, Oregon Dept. of Education, Child Nutrition Programs
Janet Merrell, Community Action Partners of Oregon
Susannah Morgan, Oregon Food Bank
Dawn Myers, Oregon Dept. of Human Services - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Representative Jeff Reardon, Oregon State Legislature
Kara Smith, Food for Lane County
Senator Kathleen Taylor, Oregon State Legislature
Senator Chuck Thomsen, Oregon State Legislature
Suzanne Washington, Meals on Wheels People
Sue Woodbury, Oregon Health Authority - Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
History
The Oregon Hunger Task Force (originally called The Oregon Hunger Relief Task Force) was created by the State Legislature in 1989 (ORS 458.532) to act as a resource within government and as a statewide advocate for Oregonians who are hungry or at risk of hunger. The Task Force works collaboratively with stakeholders throughout Oregon to promote community awareness, compile research, develop proposals for government action, and conduct outreach to expand participation in federal nutrition programs.
When the Task Force was created, Oregon ranked high for hunger among states, and the legislature declared that
"All persons have the right to be free from hunger."
The 28-seat Task Force was directed to "serve as an advocate for hungry persons," studying the problem of hunger, making recommendations, and helping local communities implement changes.
In 2004, the Task Force gathered input from Oregonians across the state to develop its first five-year plan to address the root causes of hunger. The Act to End Hunger proved to be a critical organizing tool for anti-hunger advocates across the state. The urgency of the problem, and the opportunity for progress directed the members of the Oregon Hunger Task Force to launch a private non-profit organization (Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon) whose staff would directly support and help implement the recommendations of the Act to End Hunger.
Highlights from the 2010-2015 Ending Hunger Before It Begins: Oregon's Call to Action can be found here. The current 2019-2022 plan can be found here.
Partners For A Hunger Free Oregon
Together with the Oregon Hunger Task Force, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon works to end hunger before it begins by addressing root causes. The two entities’ common goal is to build families' economic stability and food security so that all Oregonians have sufficient means and ready access to healthy and culturally appropriate food.
Contact The Oregon Hunger Task Force
Alison Killeen
Oregon Hunger Task Force Coordinator
Alison@oregonhunger.org
(503) 595-5501 x 305