Dot Ranch COVID-19 Response and Relief
There is no sensation quite as universally humbling as hunger. Mickey knows this, having grown up in a household that was so far below the poverty line that just reaching the poverty line seemed unattainable. When she started Dot Ranch, it was with the goal of ensuring that good food should be attainable by all, not just the elite of society.
With COVID-19 altering the very face of America, we're seeing unprecedented unemployment rates and a crisis in food security. Meat packers are closing, grocery stores are facing supply chain shortages, and more Americans are facing hunger and uncertainty than at any time since the Great Depression. In rural areas, this is even more magnified, as farmers and ranchers face the most uncertain markets of their generation's experience.
We know just how this hits families, farmers, and ranchers, because it's affected us too. We've lost restaurant contracts, we've lost feed sources for our animals, and we've witnessed first hand the devastation occuring in Oregon's economy. But as a veteran owned ranch, adapt and overcome is one of our core competencies. With this in mind, we have reached out to other farmers and producers in similar situations, and we're proud to present The Veteran's Pantry Prjoect.
We are putting together fresh food boxes from locally grown produce, meats, and eggs. We started a small crowdfunding campaign selling t-shirts over social media to raise money for the purchase of produce from local farmers who also lost their restaurant contracts, and we're providing USDA inspected meats from our network of ranchers and our own flock of Navajo-Churro Sheep. These food boxes are dedicated to our local veterans, and we will provide no contact drop offs to the front porch of any veteran who reaches out to us. Our hope is that we can reach rural veterans and disabled veterans, those who aren't able to access groceries readily or safely, to provide fresh, healthy produce and pasture raised meats to those who truly need them.
Our growers range in size from small farms to medium sized commercial growers, all within Oregon. Some of our producers are even certified Homegrown By Heroes, an initiative from the Farmer Veteran Coalition and the USDA that designates certification that the products from our farms and ranches are produced by US veterans. We ALL want to make sure that in this time, our brothers and sisters in service are taken care of.
To apply for a Veteran's Pantry Project food box, we ask only for verification of military service with either a military or VA issued ID card, or a DD-214. Verification will be made in person at time of pick up or delivery of your food box, we DO NOT require you to email us photos of your ID!!! Because our produce is fresh, we will provide boxes in timing with availability from our growers, and we do not bar people from applying for future boxes. During this time of need, food security IS national security, and nobody understands that more than fellow veterans. Applications should be made by email. To apply, just put Veteran's Pantry Project in your email subject line, include your name, branch of service, and how many people are in your household.
We know that our humble contribution won't cover everybody for all their needs, so please check back for more resources to be posted soon.
A Short List of Oregon Food Security Resources in Linn and Benton Counties
Linn Benton Food ShareSpecific resources can be found on their page for a variety of COVID-19 relief and programs, including housing and utility assistance.
The South Corvallis Food Bank is still open and operating.
The Oregon Food Bank The Oregon Food Bank has a network of still open locations across the state, and this handy tool to locate one closest to you. You can also call them at (503) 505-7061
Mary's River Gleaners are still operating. Their hours and location may change, but their last facebook post stated they were still distributing.
The Mid Valley Gleaners operate in Albany, Oregon, and are still in operation as far as we know.
The Jefferson Community Food Bank serves Jefferson, Scio, Crabtree, Millersburg, and Talbot. They are still open, check their facebook for updates.
Fish of Albany, Inc is a non profit that provides a variety of services from help with medication to propane vouchers, utility assistance, help with getting legal identification, all the way to food baskets and help with medications.
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lebanon, OR has a still working soup kitchen that is providing to go meals to those who need them. I personally know some folks who help out here, and can vouch that these are good people who CARE about their community.
