Oregon's Life Saving Woodstock Pantry Expands to Meet Growing Community Need

Launched in 2020, the Woodstock Pantry was a community-led initiative to address the immediate needs for food assistance.Photo byAaron DoucettonUnsplash

The Woodstock Pantry in Southeast Portland has significantly increased its capacity with the opening of a new, permanent facility. Established in response to the food insecurity exacerbated by the pandemic, the pantry has evolved from a temporary shipping container into a robust community resource.

Launched in 2020, the Woodstock Pantry was a community-led initiative to address the immediate needs for food assistance. With support from local organizations and residents, including space provided by All Saints Episcopal Church, the pantry has distributed groceries to over 20,000 people.

"Serving our neighbors has always been the heart of this project," said Andria Skornik, priest at All Saints Episcopal Church. "It was the right time and the right thing to do."

Recent data from August 2023 reveals that 40% of those served receive SNAP benefits, 39% have a disability, and the pantry supports a diverse demographic with 57% identifying as white, 15% as Asian, and 3% as Black.