The City of Hillsboro is launching the “Food 2 You” food pantry delivery program on Tuesday, April 7, in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army of Hillsboro.
The Food 2 You program will deliver essential food to Hillsboro community members who need it most during the COVID-19 pandemic, when getting to a food pantry may be difficult or dangerous to their health.
The program will accept requests and deliver food two (2) days each week, hence the name: Food 2 You.
“People need to eat, and if there’s no way for people to get to the food, then we have to get the food to the people,” said Mayor Steve Callaway. “How our community has traditionally provided food to those in need works for some, but during this COVID-19 public health crisis, it doesn’t work for everyone. We are bringing creative solutions to an unprecedented situation. We want people to stay home and stay healthy, to not risk their lives.”
How it works
Requests are accepted by phone at 503-681-5090 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only, from noon to 4 pm. Orders are filled and delivered the following day (Wednesdays and Thursdays). Community members will also have the option to leave a voicemail message to request a call back to take their food request.
Food is left at the door in order to maintain social distancing, but with perishable food items, the person must be there to receive the food. Due to high demand, dietary needs or special needs cannot be accommodated.
Based on what’s available at the time of the request, food deliveries may be enough to feed a small family for several days. If there is extra food that will not be eaten, the food can be shared with others — while maintaining social distancing of at least six feet.
Recipients must live in Hillsboro, and the only questions they are asked is their name, address, and phone number.
Although Hillsboro residents can still pick up food boxes from food pantries on their own, the Food 2 You program will assist those who are unable to get to a food pantry due to COVID-19 concerns.
Food 2 You complements other food pantry delivery services, including Meals on Wheels, and can assist Hillsboro community members who may not be served through other programs.
City of Hillsboro support
City of Hillsboro employees will have a hands-on role in supporting the Food 2 You program, including staff from the Parks & Recreation, Information Services, City Manager’s Office, and Police departments, as well as members of the HiLight broadband team. Among their support roles:
- Getting word out to community members
- Taking the orders on the phone
- Relaying the orders to St. Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army of Hillsboro
- Helping to fill the orders at the food pantries
- Delivering food boxes to addresses in Hillsboro
Helpful reminders
- Refrigerate and freeze food items as needed
- Pantries cannot take any food items back
- All produce should be washed prior to use
- Share items that you will not use — while maintaining social distancing of at least six feet