CLACKAMAS, Ore. — On Thursday, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office had a kind of traffic stop that they’re not accustomed to. “The cars are quite literally lined up the road,” said undersheriff Angela Brandenburg.
With the help of volunteers and staff, the sheriff’s office began passing out free food boxes to whoever could make it through the line, as part of their Community Care Initiative. “We’re going to be able to serve about 290 cars that come through,” Brandeburg said.
Over the last few weeks, they’ve partnered with the Oregon Food Bank to deliver over 25,000 pounds of food to about 1,000 local families. Brandenburg says they will continue to make the deliveries, but the first day of this drive-up gave them a look at how much it’s needed—and appreciated.
“I think it’s really cool. It shows the community that they care about people out here,” said Shawna Neumann. She waited in line for over an hour to take a box for one of her clients. “I’m so incredibly grateful that I have the means and the resources that I do have,” she added.
Tualatin resident Mary and her husband just applied for unemployment. She’s extremely thankful for the small bundle of security she’s leaving with.
“I believe we’ve got like $42 in the bank, so to be able to come down and get food is amazing,” Mary said.
The sheriff’s office and partner organizations packed cars for a couple of hours. The boxes taken included pasta and pancake mix, even milk and eggs.
“It just feels so good and I can tell you, with our employees and volunteers, that it feels so good to be able to help during this time,” Brandenburg said.
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