Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is giving nearly one and a half million dollars to bolster three regional food banks.  

The Seattle-based foundation typically focuses its domestic giving on schools and libraries. 

But Northwest program director David Bley says the demand at food banks in the foundation’s backyard was impossible to ignore.

David Bley: “We have largely invested in long term change in our schools and in the educational system.  But we also realize that kids can’t learn if they’re hungry and parents can’t raise their families if they are forced to choose between food, rent, clothing and health bills.” 

Bley says demand at Washington food banks rose 28 percent in the last quarter.  The Oregon Food Bank has seen a 13 percent increase since July. 

The Gates Foundation money goes to central distribution hubs run by Food Lifeline in Seattle, Second Harvest in Spokane, and Oregon Food Bank in Portland.  Each of those organizations supplies dozens of local food pantries.

Online:

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation