Did you know that Oregon Food Bank emergency food distribution skyrocketed 28 percent in Washington County last year? That translates into an additional 40,000 people and nearly half-a-million more meals served compared to the previous fiscal year. Since 2007-08, when the recession began, the need has risen 49 percent. In addition, there are 1,107 foreclosed homes in Beaverton and, so far this year, 715 homeless students have been identified in the Beaverton School District.

As part of the ongoing Beaverton Cares awareness program, Mayor Denny Doyle today announced that the City of Beaverton will hold a city-wide food drive for the Oregon Food Bank and local food pantries throughout the month of December. In addition, the City of Beaverton will recognize National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 15-21) at the City Council meeting on Monday, November 16, 2009.

“I’m proud of the way that our community has come together to help our neighbors in need,” said Mayor Doyle. “National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is a good reminder that the need in our area continues to grow and that there is much more that we can do together.”

City of Beaverton Food and Toy Drives
Looking for ways to help out your neighbors during the holiday season? The City of Beaverton will be holding food and toy drive during the month of December.

Drop off non-perishable food donations for the Oregon Food Bank and local food pantries at City Hall (4755 SW Griffith Dr.) throughout the month of December and at the following City events:

Beaverton Police Department’s Free Document Shredding
Saturday, December 12, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., City Hall parking lot

Leaf Collections
• Saturdays, November 21 & December 5, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aloha High School (Corner of 185th & Madeline) & Sunset High School (13480 NW Cornell Rd.)
• Saturday, November 21, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., City of Beaverton Operations Center (9600 SW Allen Blvd.)

Tree Lighting and Holiday Open House
• Friday, December 4, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Beaverton City Library & City Park (12375 SW 5th St.)
Tickets to the Beaverton Civic Theatre’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Show, which starts at 8 p.m. in the Beaverton City Library auditorium are just $5 if you bring a toy for the TVF&R Toy Drive.

In addition, the City of Beaverton is now collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Tualatin Valley Gleaners. The Gleaners provide food, aid and other assistance to the low-income, disabled, children and elderly. This year the Gleaners will be hosting their holiday toy giveaway for 800 local children. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted in the Neighborhood Office, City Hall, Suite 130, Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., now through Friday, December 18.

Lend a Hand This Holiday Season
Learn more about how to help your neighbors this holiday season and all year round by visiting the Beaverton Cares Web page at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/beavertoncares. Here are just a few ideas:
• Help Oregon Food Bank fight hunger either by donating towards an immediate need (did you know that a $12 donation can provide a family with enough food to last three to five days) or by supporting their campaign to create Oregon Food Bank West, a facility to address the growing need in Washington County. This facility will be housed in a 36,000 square-foot warehouse at 173rd and Cornell Road but they need more funds to purchase equipment (such as a large freezer/cooler) before they can open. To make a donation, please contact Barbara Peschiera at (503) 419-4165 or donate online at www.oregonfoodbank.org.
• Volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Call (503) 643-8352 to find out how you can deliver meals to elderly Beaverton residents.
• Volunteer or donate to the Sunshine Pantry. Visit www.sunshinepantry.org for a list of needed items and information on volunteer opportunities.
• Give $10, Tell 10 Friends Community Relief Fund has been established by the United Way of the Columbia–Willamette, the Oregon Food Bank and Community Action agencies in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and Clark counties to raise emergency funds to help families in our community that have been hardest hit by the economic crisis. To make a donation visit www.unitedway-pdx.org/community-relief/ or www.unitedway-pdx.org. Donations can also be mailed to: United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, Community Relief Fund, 619 SW 11th Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97205.
• Help Care to Share coordinate assistance to families and individuals seeking emergency food and other basic needs. Call (503) 591-9025 and ask for the director or visit www.caretoshareonline.com.

Help Someone Find the Help They Need
Call 2-1-1 for immediate assistance or visit the “How to Get Help” section of the Beaverton Cares Web site at www.beavertonoregon.gov/beavertoncares and find contact info for local food pantries, homeless shelters and clothing assistance.

Boost your Neighborhood Businesses
Support our local economy (and the business owners that are your neighbors) by shopping locally. Visit the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce web site, www.beaverton.org for discount offers through the “Chamber Stimulus Package.”

About Beaverton Cares
Beaverton Cares is a campaign to raise awareness of human needs issues in the community and provide information about resources to those in need. The City of Beaverton has partnered with the Oregon Food Bank to distribute emergency food to nearly 1,000 families at three different events this fall. City staff and members of SEIU represented workers grew and harvested hundreds of pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries in this summer’s Giving Garden. More than 1,500 pounds were donated thanks to additional produce dropped off by local residents. For more information, visit www.BeavertonOregon.gov/beavertoncares.