Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland’s four-day musical fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank wrapped up Monday night, with organizers saying they surpassed their monetary goal of $600,000. They raised more than $622,000. And the Waterfront Blues Festival brought in 90,000 pounds of donated food for the needy.

It was the highest-ever goal for the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, according to Food Bank spokeswoman, Jean Kempe-Ware.

She says the goal was so high because of how dire the need is. But Kempe-Ware says donors, volunteers, and sponsors tend to come through for the Food Bank when it needs it.

Jean Kempe-Ware: “We have been fortunate to have good support from the community. We’re not in a crisis mode, but what we are seeing is unprecedented need. So our concern is always – are we going to be able to continue to respond to that need? And that’s why we need to have the continued help of the community.”

Last fall, the Oregon Food Bank reported a more than 20 percent increase in demand for emergency food boxes in some parts of the state. That was on top of even bigger increases reported the year before.