The Portland region faces a profound and growing challenge as food insecurity and homelessness continue to affect thousands of individuals and families across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Today, one in eight people and one in six children in the region experience food insecurity—from Ontario to Portland to Clark County—revealing the scale of an ongoing hunger crisis that shows little sign of slowing. In Portland itself, an estimated 12.8% of residents live in poverty, a reality that places many households at constant risk of instability. Food insecurity reaches far beyond hunger alone, and is closely associated with serious health concerns including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays in children, asthma, weakened immune systems, and increased hospitalizations.

At the same time, homelessness continues to rise across Oregon despite significant efforts to expand shelter capacity. According to Portland State University’s Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative, the number of people able to access shelter has increased dramatically in recent years, yet economic insecurity and a severe shortage of affordable housing continue to drive more people into homelessness. The 2025 Point-in-Time Count identified 27,119 people experiencing homelessness across Oregon, including 16,512 individuals living unsheltered. These realities highlight the urgent need for compassionate, community-based responses that address both the immediate needs of those struggling today and the long-term stability required for individuals and families to rebuild their lives.