Hunger Fighters Oregon Launches Second Annual Supplemental Food & Hygiene Supply Program to Support Students During School Breaks

 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.
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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!
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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:

• Mondays: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

To learn more about Hunger Fighters Oregon, visit hungerfightersoregon.org or email [email protected].

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