How do I apply for SNAP?

Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.

Can I use a food bank without applying?

Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.

Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?

Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

What is summer food service?

USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.

Food Assistance in Oregon

17 verified resources.

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in Oregon

Oregon circuit courts handle family law in each of its 27 judicial districts. The Division of Child Support operates under the Department of Justice. Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, and Hillsboro are the largest metros. Legal Aid Services of Oregon is the primary LSC-funded civil legal aid organization statewide.

17 Resources

1. Oregon Food Bank — Free

Statewide hunger-relief organization distributing food through a network of 21 regional food banks and 1,400 partner sites across all 36 Oregon counties and Clark County, Washington. Call 503-282-0555 during weekday business hours or visit oregonfoodbank.org to find a nearby pantry or meal site. Food assistance is free. Visitors generally do not need photo ID to pick up food, though some sites ask for zip code or household size.

503-282-0555 · 7900 NE 33rd Dr, Portland, OR 97211 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. SNAP Benefits – Oregon DHS — Free

Oregon Department of Human Services administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, providing monthly food benefits on an EBT card to income-eligible households. Call 800-723-3638 during weekday business hours or apply online at oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits. Benefits are free to apply. Applicants provide photo ID, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of income (pay stubs or benefit letters), and housing cost information.

800-723-3638 · 500 Summer St NE, Salem, OR 97301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. FOOD for Lane County — Free

Eugene-based regional food bank serving Lane County with emergency food boxes, dining rooms, produce plus programs, and partner pantries. Call 541-343-2822 during weekday business hours or visit foodforlanecounty.org to find a nearby pantry or meal site. Food assistance is free. Visitors generally do not need photo ID to receive food, though some partner pantries may ask for a name, household size, and zip code to track distributions.

541-343-2822 · 770 Bailey Hill Rd, Eugene, OR 97402 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Marion-Polk Food Share — Free

Regional food bank based in Salem serving Marion and Polk County residents through pantries, meal sites, and youth programs. Call 503-581-3855 during weekday business hours or visit marionpolkfoodshare.org to find a nearby pantry. Food assistance is free. Visitors generally do not need photo ID to pick up food, though partner pantries may ask for name, household size, and zip code to help track and report distributions to funders.

503-581-3855 · 1660 Salem Industrial Dr NE, Salem, OR 97301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Feeding America – Oregon Partners — Free

National Feeding America network includes several member food banks serving Oregon, coordinating large-scale food distribution to partner pantries and meal sites statewide. Call 800-771-2303 or visit feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank to locate the food bank that serves your zip code. Food is distributed free through local partners. Visitors generally do not need photo ID, though some sites ask for zip code or household size to report to funders.

800-771-2303 · Varies by location · Visit Website

6. WIC Program – Oregon — Free

Oregon WIC provides free nutrition counseling, healthy food benefits, and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new moms, infants, and children under age 5 who meet income guidelines. Call 800-723-3638 during weekday business hours or visit oregon.gov/oha/ph/healthypeoplefamilies/wic to find a local clinic. Applicants provide photo ID, proof of address, proof of income, and birth records or medical information for the mother and children.

800-723-3638 · 800 NE Oregon St, Portland, OR 97232 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Sunshine Division – Portland — Free

Portland-area nonprofit providing free emergency food boxes and clothing for families and individuals in need, operating walk-in distribution sites and home delivery through police partners. Call 503-823-2102 during posted hours or visit sunshinedivision.org for hours and requirements. Food assistance is free for eligible households. Visitors generally bring photo ID and proof of Portland-area address; home delivery is arranged through local police non-emergency lines.

503-823-2102 · 619 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209 · Mon-Sat 10am-4pm · Visit Website

8. Meals on Wheels – Oregon — Free

Oregon's Meals on Wheels programs deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities and host dining sites in community centers. Call the Portland area office at 503-736-6325 on weekdays or visit mowp.org to find a regional program near you. Services are typically offered at no or low cost with voluntary donations. Applicants share basic demographic and medical information and, if delivering, confirm a safe delivery address.

503-736-6325 · 7710 SW 31st Ave, Portland, OR 97219 · Mon-Fri · Visit Website

9. Central Oregon Food Bank – NeighborImpact — Free

Central Oregon's regional food bank, operated by NeighborImpact in Redmond, serves Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson Counties through partner pantries and meal sites. Call 541-548-6727 during weekday business hours or visit neighborimpact.org to find a pantry near you. Food assistance is free. Visitors generally do not need photo ID, though some partner pantries ask for name, household size, and zip code to report distributions to funders.

541-548-6727 · 2303 SW 1st St, Redmond, OR 97756 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Josephine County Food Bank — Free

Emergency food distribution for residents of Grants Pass and surrounding Josephine County through direct distribution and partner pantries. Call 541-479-1091 during weekday business hours to confirm current pickup days and requirements. Food assistance is free. Visitors typically share basic information such as household size and zip code; some sites ask for photo ID or proof of address to align with funder reporting requirements but will generally help anyone in need.

541-479-1091 · 3674 Highland Ave, Grants Pass, OR 97526 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

11. Douglas County Food Bank — Free

Regional food bank for the Roseburg area and greater Douglas County, operated by UCAN (United Community Action Network). Call 541-440-3556 during weekday business hours or visit ucancap.org to find a nearby pantry or meal site. Food assistance is free. Visitors typically share basic information such as name, household size, and zip code; some partner sites may ask for photo ID or proof of address to meet funder reporting requirements.

541-440-3556 · 624 SE Jackson St, Roseburg, OR 97470 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

12. Linn-Benton Food Share – Albany — Free

Regional food bank and pantry network serving Linn and Benton Counties, based in Albany. Coordinates food distribution with partner pantries, gleaning programs, and meal sites in Corvallis, Albany, and rural communities. Call 541-928-6970 during weekday business hours to find a pantry or meal site. Food assistance is free. Visitors typically share household size and zip code; some partner sites may ask for photo ID or proof of address for funder reporting.

541-928-6970 · 250 Broadalbin St SW, Albany, OR 97321 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

13. Klamath-Lake Counties Food Bank — Free

Regional food bank in Klamath Falls serving Klamath and Lake County residents through partner pantries, meal sites, and senior food box programs. Call 541-882-1223 during weekday business hours to confirm distribution days and find a nearby pantry. Food assistance is free. Visitors typically share household size and zip code on sign-in sheets; some partner sites ask for photo ID or proof of address to comply with federal funder reporting requirements.

541-882-1223 · 3231 Maywood Dr, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

14. Blanchet House – Portland — Free

Downtown Portland nonprofit offering free meals, clothing, and transitional housing for men and women experiencing homelessness, hunger, and addiction. Call 503-241-4340 during business hours or visit blanchethouse.org for current meal times and programs. Meals are free and served on a walk-in basis with no ID required. Transitional housing residents apply through a separate process that includes interviews, program expectations, and a commitment to recovery goals.

503-241-4340 · 310 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209 · Mon-Sat meal times · Visit Website

15. Oregon School Meals – Free Lunch Program — Free

Oregon Department of Education administers the federal free and reduced-price school meal programs in public schools statewide, offering breakfast and lunch at no cost to eligible children during the school year. Call 503-947-5600 or visit oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/childnutrition for application details. Applications go to each district and are free. Families provide household size and income information such as pay stubs or SNAP case numbers.

503-947-5600 · 255 Capitol St NE, Salem, OR 97310 · School days · Visit Website

16. Union Gospel Mission – Salem — Free

Salem-area Christian nonprofit offering free daily meals, emergency shelter, and long-term recovery programs for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness and addiction. Call 503-399-8560 during posted hours or visit ugmsalem.org for current meal times and programs. Meals are free and open to the public; no ID is required. Shelter and recovery program guests complete an intake process that includes interviews, program expectations, and basic information.

503-399-8560 · 625 Union St NE, Salem, OR 97301 · Daily meal times · Visit Website

17. Portland Rescue Mission — Free

Portland-based Christian nonprofit providing free meals, emergency shelter, and long-term recovery programs for men and women experiencing homelessness, hunger, and addiction. Call 503-906-7690 during business hours or visit portlandrescuemission.org for current meal times and programs. Meals are free and open to the public without ID. Guests entering shelter or recovery programs go through an intake that includes interviews, program rules, and basic personal information.

503-906-7690 · 111 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209 · Daily meal times · Visit Website

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?: Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?: Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?: Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?: USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.