This year marked a meaningful milestone for Rivermark as we proudly celebrated our 10th year sponsoring the KGW Great Food Drive, and the community showed up in a big way.Together with our members, partners, and neighbors, we set an ambitious goal of collecting 1.2 million meals to support those facing hunger across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Thanks to overwhelming generosity, we didn’t just meet that goal, we exceeded it. Over 1.65 million meals were collected during this year’s drive.
Supporting Food Access at the Local Level
Once again, Rivermark branches served as collection sites for nonperishable food donations, making it easy for members to participate. This year, all nonperishable food collected at Rivermark branches was donated directly to The People’s Pantry in Portland.
The People’s Pantry uses a dignified, shopping‑style model that allows individuals and families to choose foods that best meet their cultural preferences and dietary needs, an approach that also helps reduce food waste. The pantry focuses on serving the LGBTQ+ community and communities of color, groups that continue to face disproportionately high rates of food insecurity. We’re especially proud to support their mission and local impact through this year’s drive.
Powered by Strong Community Partnerships
The KGW Great Food Drive is made possible through collaboration, and we’re grateful to stand alongside our fellow sponsors this year, including KGW, Toyota, Safeway, and Pacific Office Automation. Together we continue to amplify the reach and impact of this annual effort.
In addition to food donations collected at Rivermark branches, funds raised through the drive support Oregon Food Bank, which purchases, collects, and distributes food through a statewide network of 21 regional food banks and more than 1,400 food assistance sites. Thanks to Oregon Food Bank’s wholesale purchasing power, every monetary donation goes further, putting more food on tables for people who need it most.
Why This Work Matters
Food insecurity continues to affect communities throughout Oregon:
- 1 in 7 people face hunger in rural, urban, and suburban areas
- Nearly 1 in 6 children qualify for free or reduced‑cost school lunches
- Rising food and housing costs, combined with the end of pandemic‑era assistance, are increasing need
- As many as 2.9 million people are expected to seek emergency food assistance through the Oregon Food Bank Network this year
These numbers underscore why community support, and collective action, matters more than ever.
Thank You for Making a Difference
To everyone who donated food, contributed funds, volunteered their time, or helped spread the word: thank you. Your generosity helped make the 10th year of the KGW Great Food Drive one of the most impactful yet.
At Rivermark, giving back is core to who we are. Together, we’re helping ensure more families have access to the food they need, and showing what’s possible when community comes together.
