Making a Difference Year-Round: Partners For a Hunger-Free Oregon
Since 2019, Portland Cider Company’s annual Community Cider has served as a fundraiser for local nonprofit Partners For a Hunger-Free Oregon (PHFO). This special crowd-sourced cider, which is made from fruit donated by people all around the Portland area, is canned and sold in a limited run. Proceeds from the sale of the cider are passed through to Hunger-Free Schools, a program of PHFO that is especially focused on supporting hungry kids across the state. But what, specifically, does that mean?
In part, it means that your contribution goes towards impactful, systemic changes to support people impacted by hunger across the state. PHFO works with legislators to advocate for changes in our current laws that will increase access to food for those who need it the most. And for Hunger-Free Schools, that means focusing on kids!
When COVID-19 struck, a temporary waiver was passed that allowed all students access to free school meals. Now that waiver has expired, and many kids who really benefited from the program have abruptly lost their eligibility and access. So PHFO will be bringing forward a bill in the 2023 legislative session that will provide universal school meals to every child in Oregon.
“We saw how universal meals impacted students’ success and well-being,” said Nel Taylor of PHFO. “And we know that we have the resources to continue to provide them. This legislation will have an immense impact on Oregon families, who will have greater peace of mind and flexibility in their budgets knowing that their children can access nourishing meals at school.”
Contributions to Hunger-Free Schools will support this important work, sustaining employee time and efforts toward passing a bill that will impact 560,000 Oregon students. More than 9% of Oregonians experienced hunger in 2020, and this legislation will allow parents and guardians to redirect their resources toward other necessities, including food for themselves and other family members.
How can you help? “The most enjoyable way to contribute,” said Taylor, “is to buy Portland Cider’s Community Cider, while supplies last! You can also find us in the Willamette Week Give!Guide through the end of this year.”
For more details about PHFO, check out this video! Use our handy Cider Finder to locate Community Cider near you, and make a plan for next September to donate your unwanted backyard apples and pears towards the next batch of Community Cider. Thanks for your support!
About Portland Cider Company
Portland Cider Company was founded in 2013 to bring hand-crafted, award winning cider to the Northwest. The company recognizes Portland and her bold spirit as the inspiration behind their innovative ciders, and promises the cleanest, tastiest, and most enjoyable cider-drinking experience the city has to offer. Including the new Westside Pub, Portland Cider has three taproom locations in the Portland Metro Area, where they encourage all to visit, sample, and expect more from the cider they drink.
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