Join Urban Gleaners - The Unsung Heroes of Food Justice

 

Photo will open urbangleaners.org in a new window

In the heart of Oregon, where the beauty of the landscape contrasts starkly with the harsh reality of hunger, Urban Gleaners stands as a testament to the power of community-driven solutions. With 1 in 5 Oregonians living with food insecurity Urban Gleaners has a plan: rescue delicious, fresh food before it goes to waste and get it into the hands of those who need it the most.

Urban Gleaners was founded in 2006 by Tracy Oseran and stemmed from the understanding that hunger isn't merely an issue of access but also a matter of distribution. Tracy's grassroots movement has evolved into a vibrant volunteer-powered organization that feeds over 8,000 people every week through school pantries, summer free farmers markets, and Mobile Markets at low-income housing communities. The commitment goes beyond immediate hunger relief - it extends to confronting systemic issues like poverty, social injustice, and income inequality.

Distributing Hope

   Urban Gleaners collaborates with a diverse network of donors, including restaurants, grocery stores, corporate campuses, and farms. Their aim is to intercept surplus food, preventing it from contributing to the staggering $218 billion worth of food wasted annually in the U.S. That amounts to 52 million tons otherwise being sent to landfills.

Sorting & Packaging

   At their Central Portland warehouse, the organization's dedicated volunteers sort and package donated food into family-sized portions, ensuring that every item is high-quality and wholesome.

Distributing Impact

   Urban Gleaners operates over 35 sites in the Portland Metro area, delivering food directly to schools, hosting Mobile Markets at parks and apartment complexes, and partnering with various hunger services organizations. Their initiatives address the urgent issue of childhood hunger and contribute to creating a healthier community.

Urban Gleaner's Founder Tracy Oseran's TEDxTALK

Get Involved and Join the Fight Against Hunger

None of Urban Gleaners' impactful programs would be possible without the help of committed volunteers. Opportunities include repacking/sorting at their warehouse, committing to weekly food pickups, or joining the elite Rapid Response Team for one-off and after-hours support.

To volunteer, email volunteer@urbangleaners.org with your availability and preferences. Donations, whether in the form of time, resources, or financial support, play a crucial role in making Oregon's communities healthier and more resilient. For businesses looking to contribute, Urban Gleaners provides logistics support and a range of donation options, emphasizing that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

In the face of Oregon's hunger crisis, Urban Gleaners stands as a beacon of hope, inviting everyone to be part of the solution and to contribute to a world where no one goes to bed hungry. As Urban Gleaners continues to make a difference in the lives of thousands, it invites everyone to be a part of this transformative journey — a journey that starts with a simple act of kindness, one meal at a time.