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Some people collect stamps. Some people binge-watch TV. Jackie Tarangelo volunteers.
In fact, volunteering has been part of Jackie’s life for as long as she can remember. Whether helping at food banks, supporting Habitat for Humanity, or pitching in wherever there’s a need, she’s always been drawn to making life a little easier for others. About a year and a half ago, she brought that generous spirit to Hunger Fighters, where she’s become a familiar face on Wednesday evenings. “I’ve sort of been volunteering always,” Jackie says. “These are just things that are important to me.” One of the things Jackie loves most about Hunger Fighters is its size. It’s big enough to make a difference and small enough to feel like family. “I like that it’s small,” she explains. “I know a lot of people here now, and I know a lot of the guests that come in.” And yes—guests. That word matters to Jackie. Neighbors Show Up For Neighbors For her, food insecurity isn’t some distant issue. It’s something that can affect anyone. “My heart just breaks for a lot of these people,” she says. “A couple of bad breaks, and I could be in line, too. It can happen to any of us.” As someone who is semi-retired and still working to make retirement affordable, Jackie understands how quickly life can throw a curveball. That understanding shows up in every interaction she has at the pantry. She’s also seen firsthand how much the need has grown. One recent Wednesday night brought a record number of families through the doors, including many first-time visitors. “That just makes my heart ache for people,” she says. But if there’s one thing that gives Jackie hope, it’s this community. When benefits were disrupted earlier this year, donations came pouring in. Shelves filled up. Deliveries kept arriving. Neighbors showed up for neighbors. “People really stepped up,” Jackie says. “This is a wonderful community. People really care. You put out the word that we need help, and they’re there.” One of Jackie’s favorite Hunger Fighters memories involves something sweet, quite literally. The pantry had received a birthday kit filled with cake mix and decorations. One evening, a guest discovered the kit just in time for their child’s birthday. “They said, ‘I can’t believe this. I needed this,’” Jackie remembers. Sometimes a birthday cake is more than a birthday cake. Sometimes it’s a reminder that someone cares. Moments like that stick with Jackie. “Whenever I think that I have problems, I come here and realize how lucky I am.” Volunteering has also taught her an important lesson: need doesn’t always look the way people expect. Guests come from every background imaginable. Some arrive in work clothes. Some arrive in business attire. Some drive older cars. Some drive newer ones. If You Need Food, Please Come In “Nobody is better than anybody else,” Jackie says. “You can’t judge. You don’t know what people are going through.” A job loss, a medical emergency, rising costs, or a struggling business can change everything in a matter of weeks. “If someone says they’re hungry and they need food, take that at face value,” Jackie says. “I love that this place does that. If you’re here and you need food, please come in.” Over time, Jackie has become something of a pantry detective, always keeping an eye out for items that might brighten someone’s day. Spot a box of baby wipes? She knows exactly who might need them. Find a special item tucked away in the back? She’s ready to make sure it gets into the right hands. As for what Hunger Fighter guests need most often, Jackie has the insider scoop: cereal, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and fresh produce disappear fast. “Shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, those basic items go so fast,” she says. “Hygiene items are definitely the biggest need.” For Jackie, volunteering may seem like a small thing. But week after week, bag after bag, conversation after conversation, she helps create a place where people feel welcomed, respected, and supported. “I wish I could change the world,” she says. “But I can’t. So I can help in my community.” Lucky for us, and for the hundreds of families who visit Hunger Fighters each month, that’s exactly what she does.  Hunger Fighters Oregon (HFO) officially launches in June 2026 the second year of our Supplemental Food & Hygiene Supply Program, an initiative designed to support food-insecure students in the Lake Oswego community by providing nutritious food and essential personal hygiene items during school breaks.
While summer often brings opportunities for recreation and relaxation, it can also create additional challenges for families who rely on school-based meal programs throughout the academic year. HFO’s Supplemental Food & Hygiene Supply Program helps bridge that gap, ensuring students continue to have access to healthy food and basic necessities when school is not in session. According to the Oregon Department of Education, approximately 16 percent of students in the Lake Oswego School District (1,092 young people) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch during the 2026–2027 school year. This represents a slight increase in need compared to the previous school year. As food insecurity continues to impact local families, Hunger Fighters Oregon remains committed to providing reliable and accessible support. In 2025, HFO served more than 14,200 individuals, representing a 25 percent increase in guest visits over the previous year. More than 30 percent of those served were children and youth under the age of 18. “As we celebrate our tenth year serving the Lake Oswego community, we remain focused on ensuring our neighbors have consistent access to food and essential items,” said Hunger Fighters Oregon Executive Director Simone Coker-Kamna. “This program allows us to specifically support students and families during times when school-based resources may be less available.” Partnering with Lake Oswego Schools to Reach Students in Need Hunger Fighters Oregon works closely with the LOSD Nutrition Services Department to identify and connect with families of at-risk students. Through this partnership, eligible families can opt in to receive supplemental food and hygiene supplies on a recurring basis throughout school breaks. The program provides nutrient-rich foods and essential hygiene products while also helping relieve financial pressure on families. By supplementing household resources, families may be able to redirect limited funds toward housing, transportation, healthcare, and other critical expenses. Building on a Successful Pilot Program The Supplemental Food & Hygiene Supply Program began as a pilot initiative during the summer of 2025 and served nearly 100 students. The program was made possible through generous community support, including a $20,000 grant from the Malcolm Marquis Foundation and an $8,000 grant from the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Foundation. What began as a request for hygiene supplies to support students at Harmony Academy, a local recovery high school serving students recovering from addiction, quickly grew into a district-wide effort serving eligible students throughout Lake Oswego. The success of the pilot demonstrated both the need for and impact of providing consistent access to food and hygiene products beyond the traditional school year. Community Impact School counselors and families have seen firsthand how access to food and essential supplies can improve student well-being and academic success. “Hunger Fighters’ program has made a meaningful difference for our high school students, many of whom face unstable access to basic needs,” said Renee Caballero, School Counselor at Harmony Academy. “Having consistent access to snacks during the school day helps ensure that students who may not have enough to eat are still able to stay focused, engaged, and ready to learn. The program also reduces stigma around food insecurity by making food easily accessible to any student who needs it.” Kris Rochelle, AANG, CSWA, School Counselor at Harmony Academy, echoed the program’s importance. “Hunger Fighters has helped us shore up consistent and predictable food sources whenever our students have a need,” Rochelle said. “Thank you, Hunger Fighters!” Families participating in the program have also shared the difference it makes during school breaks. “The Hunger Fighters food pantry has helped our family in so many ways,” shared one Lake Oswego School District parent. “For the past year, we have also been able to be part of their Supplemental Food Assistance Program. This program has helped our family feed our growing child during school breaks. The program's food offerings during these periods have been nutritious complements to our child’s diet.” Another parent noted, “I am a single mom getting on my feet after divorce. Hunger Fighters has helped tremendously fill in the gap to help with food for my kids and me. We are truly grateful for this community in providing good food and support.” DONATE NOW AND HELP STUDENTS THRIVE ALL SUMMER! About Hunger Fighters Oregon Hunger Fighters Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit food pantry located in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Our mission is to address food insecurity in our community by offering accessible, high-quality food and essential hygiene items in a compassionate, low-barrier environment. HFO operates as a shop-in-style food pantry where guests can visit and select groceries twice per month. The pantry is open to anyone who needs assistance, no questions asked. Pantry hours are:
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Food Pantry Address:
4 Monroe Parkway, Suite A Lake Oswego, OR 97035 Phone Number: 503-683-3401 |
Regular Food Pantry Hours:
Mondays 4-6 pm, Wednesdays 5-7 pm, Fridays 10 am-1 pm |
Mail:
Hunger Fighters Oregon 4 Monroe Parkway, Suite A Lake Oswego, OR 97035 |
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Contact us at [email protected] with any questions, comments or suggestions!
EIN # 81-3611988
EIN # 81-3611988
Hunger Fighters Oregon does not does not sell or share personal information of clients or community supporters with third parties for marketing/promotional purposes.