PORTLAND, Ore. — On Saturday, 2,000 families across the Portland metro area got free Thanksgiving meals delivered right to their doorstep, and this year stands out from the more than century-long tradition.
The Sunshine Division, a Portland non-profit fighting food insecurity, is known for helping those in need, including delivering free Christmas dinners. For the first time this year, the program expanded, and more than 300 volunteers delivered Thanksgiving meals to people’s homes after seeing a need.
“What has changed in the past few years (is that) Thanksgiving has been so busy for us busiest days we’ve ever had,” said Kyle Camberg, Sunshine Division’s executive director.
In recent years, and as food insecurity grows, long lines have formed outside Sunshine Division’s North and Southeast Portland locations during Thanksgiving week.
"We just said, 'We’ve got to do this better, we’ve got to do more and make sure we’re getting meals out to thousands of families,'" Camberg said.
According to new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, roughly 12% of Oregon households experienced food insecurity between 2021 and 2023, and 5% met the extreme or "very low" threshold. That’s an increase from the previous three years combined.
On Saturday, at the Portland International Raceway, hundreds of volunteers crossed the finish line delivering meals to those in need just in time for the holidays. Each volunteer had a list of addresses for local families who needed food assistance.
“We do this every year, just something that we can help the community out with,” said Teresa, a volunteer.
“We’re all as busy as we’ve ever been and so we’re really inviting the community to continue to support us,” said Camberg.
“So, when you’re going to your grocery store and hitting 'round up,' those dollars are coming back to make this a reality,” added Corlinda Wooden the Sunshine Division board chair.
The Sunshine Division food pantry on Southeast Stark Street will be open for regular operations on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Nov. 27 during Thanksgiving week. Volunteers will also be delivering December meals in a few weeks.