Welcome, 2022!
Greetings to one, and greetings to all ~
Wow. As we enter 2022, we approach a year and a half since the conception of this project.
In 2021 we have established a rhythm between volunteers, hosts, and supporters of the project that have helped sustain existing pantries. It has been exciting to witness the emergence of this network.
The food that we receive from Westside Food Brigade and Terra Nova School of Sustainability values at an average of $3.40 per pound. Each week, our volunteers distribute about 250 total pounds of food. Assuming that others contribute an equal amount during the week, that is $1,720 worth of food per week distributed. Annually, this rounds out to be $86,000 worth of food distributed. This is more than I could have ever imagined, but I hope that this number only grows in the year to come.
We are incredibly lucky to have such generous contributors to this project. Thank you all for the time, energy, space, and donations. It has been awesome to see such quick turnover with the food in the pantries, meaning that the food donations are being eaten! Fortunately, our broader community has been incredibly receptive and energized about this project.
I want to give a huge shout out to those hosting pantries and fridges, those consistently supporting food distribution each and every week, those building pantries, those doing beautiful art for the pantries, those donating to this project, those bringing food, and those eating the food.
Moving forward it is going to be imperative that the community continues contributing consistently to the project so the Beaverton Food Project can continue to grow in the years to come. I would love to see BFP and lessons we’ve learned around the importance of mutual aid to be integrated within our education system so that this practice of community care continues for years and generations to come.
We always need more consistent volunteers, especially those who can help with food distribution. Additionally, if you or anyone you know has food that they would like to donate on a regular basis, we would love to hear from you and organize a way to get it to the various sites. If you have anything else that you would like to contribute, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to us via our social media or email beavertonfoodproject@gmail.com.
We are attempting to build a new pantry in close proximity to a community garden to support sharing fresh produce as the spring time approaches. We need funding so that we can buy supplies for this, so any donations would be greatly appreciated.
It is going to be exciting to see how the Beaverton Food Project, as well as the culture of mutual aid in Beaverton, blossoms in the year ahead.
Peace and Infinite Gratitude,
Inca
