Every month for the past four years, Neighborhood Missions has held a Free
Food Market, offering food boxes to those who need it, in the parking lot at
the Hoodland Senior Center.

But with the center expected to finalize a new lease agreement with
Clackamas County, Neighborhood Missions needed to find a new spot.
“We appreciate it and offer thanks that we’ve been there so long,” said Steve
Carlson, who helps facilitate the market.

The new location will be at Hoodland Lutheran Church, 59151 Hwy. 26, with
the same hours as before, 9-10 a.m.

And while the market is typically held on the last Monday of each month, the
holiday season will push the market date earlier for December. November’s
will take place on Monday, Nov. 28, while December’s will be a week early, on
Monday, Dec. 19.

Carlson noted that in the past two months, the market has served more than
80 households, including 16 new ones.

“It seems apparent that the need is increasing,” he said.

The food for the program comes from the Oregon Food Bank, and Carlson
noted that they have been able to order extra food to meet the new demand.
He also stressed that Neighborhood Missions is able to deliver food boxes and
if there is need for additional food, they can provide it.

Robert Boertien, Chair of the Hoodland Senior Center board of directors, noted
that the new agreement reduces the center’s control over the back parking
lot.

“The traffic generated by free food day cannot be safely accommodated
without access to the entire back lot,” Boertien wrote in an email to The
Mountain Times.

He added that the center will cooperate with Neighborhood Missions as they
strive to meet the needs in the community.
For more information or to request help, call 503-622-9213.