NeighborImpact Food Bank Partners with Winco

NeighborImpact’s Food Bank works with 20 different grocery partners in Bend and Redmond to ensure that excess food from grocery stores doesn’t go to waste. This February, Winco became the newest food partner. When Winco has food that is close to the sell-by date, they work to clear it from store shelves. Twice a week, NeighborImpact picks up these nonperishable food items and distributes them the same day at the Free Food Market and to local pantry partners to be handed out to individuals and families in need. The quick turnaround time from pick-up to distribution helps to accommodate the shelf-life of the food. 

In order to accommodate the increased need for food in the region, the food bank purchased an additional $14,394 worth of food from Winco to stock the food bank warehouse. The purchase included items like canned tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, soups, canned veggies and other shelf stable foods.

Carolyn Candella, NeighborImpact Food Resource Specialist, noted the important role that Winco and other grocery partners play in helping to fight hunger in the community.

“We are excited to build on this relationship,” she said.