SNAP Cuts Deepen Hunger in Oregon, Here’s How You Can Help
Dear Friend,
Blanchet House is on pace to serve more than 385,000 meals this year. That’s nearly 36,000 more than in 2024 and 68,000 more than in 2023. And the need for our free meals isn’t slowing. It’s about to accelerate.
Why?
New federal rules that reduce food benefits take effect this month, which means thousands of people will have less money for food and other essentials.
Here’s what’s changing in Oregon:
- Utility bill assistance is being pulled back. Households that once qualified for a utility allowance will lose that support unless someone is 60+ or has a disability. The Oregon Department of Human Services estimates 29,000 households will be affected starting Nov. 1, 2025, and another 20,000 will see reduced benefits next year.
- Work rules will expand to older adults for the first time. Adults ages 18–64 without a disability, or a young child, must now meet SNAP’s 80-hour-per-month work requirement or lose benefits after three months. The new rule affects up to 310,000 Oregonians, including veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and young adults aging out of foster care. Refugees, asylees, trafficking survivors, and others who were previously eligible because of their extremely vulnerable status will no longer qualify under the federal changes. ODHS estimates that about 3,000 people in Oregon will lose SNAP as this rolls out.
At the very same time, Blanchet House’s donated food supply is thinning—especially fresh produce—because retailers and wholesalers are tightening operations to reduce shrinkage, and supply interruptions ripple down the chain. As more people need meals, we must purchase more of the food we serve—and we’re paying inflation-driven prices to do it.
What does this mean for Blanchet House in 2026?
There will be more economic pressure on people living in low-income housing and the “working poor,” who have been able to stay afloat (barely) thanks to federal assistance. When budgets break, the first place people turn to is Blanchet House, a free meal they can count on. Even without these changes, recent year-over-year trends suggest we will serve over 415,000 meals in 2026. Based on the Oregon Department of Human Services rollout and what we’re already seeing, the number of meals may be even greater!
A gift from you will help close that gap. It will keep our kitchen stocked with nutritious ingredients, our café welcoming, and our promise intact: You matter. You won’t go hungry today.
Here are three concrete ways you can help—right now.
- Bridge the food gap: Rising costs and fewer donations mean we must buy more food to keep meals healthy and dignified. Your gift ensures everyone who comes to our door is fed. Please give today.
- Stabilize the menu: Underwrite monthly buys of fresh produce and staples to keep meals nutritious as prices fluctuate. Become a Hospitality Hero or sponsor a meal service.
- Power the line: Help us put surplus food to good use through our Food Rescue program. Connect us with food donors, offer discounts, or volunteer to transport donations. Contact Chef Shannon Chasteen at [email protected].
Thank you for your help!
Sincerely,
Scott Kerman
Executive Director Blanchet House
