TODAY: Great Madras Community Dine-Out Raises Funds for Struggling Food Pantry

If you are planning to grab a meal out today, you can make it count for a neighbor in need. The fourth annual Great Madras Community Dine-Out is underway all day Thursday, June 4, and every bite helps stock the shelves of the Madras Community Food Pantry.

The concept is simple: eat out at any of the more than 30 participating restaurants today and the restaurant will make a donation back to the food pantry in return for the extra business. No direct donation is required from customers.

Participating restaurants are located in Madras, Metolius, Culver, and Terrebonne. A full list is available at madrascommunityfoodpantry.com/dine-out.

Why This Year Matters More Than Ever

The food pantry is heading into the dine-out from a position of real strain. Les Weidner, secretary for the pantry board of directors and a longtime volunteer, said the organization is still feeling the effects of the federal government shutdown that disrupted SNAP benefits earlier this year.

Through NeighborImpact, the pantry had previously received 7,000 to 8,000 pounds of food per week. That figure has fallen to just 4,000 to 5,000 pounds, a drop of roughly 21 percent.

We are lucky if we get 5,000 pounds, Weidner said. It is usually 4,000.

Rachel Haakenson, director of marketing and communications at NeighborImpact, confirmed the broader trend: USDA partner pantries are feeling that impact. That pressure is being compounded by the seasonal low point for produce donations.

The Goal: 9,000 Dollars

Last year the dine-out raised more than 8,000 dollars. This year the pantry is hoping to reach 9,000 dollars. The funds go directly to operating costs including rent, vehicle maintenance, fuel, insurance, and utilities. These day-to-day expenses are harder to fund through grants than food itself.

Forty merchants and several local organizations across town are promoting the event through posters and social media. Businesses can still sign up to participate.

For the full list of participating restaurants and more information, visit madrascommunityfoodpantry.com.