By Janet Unruh, WENA Board Member
About five decades ago, I was recently divorced and living on my own. Although I had a college degree, I turned to “temp” work, and I was sent on interesting and challenging assignments in a variety of offices and factories. I lived on the minimum wage, which was just over three dollars per hour then. I had a studio apartment in a hip part of town—the rent was $195 per month—and a car. I never worried about money. I was able to pay the rent and all the bills. Gas for the car was $1.25 per gallon. I’d go to the ATM and get a ten-dollar bill for going out with friends. I didn’t have credit cards. That’s how affordable life was.
Today, something as basic as food is becoming unaffordable for many households. The overall inflation rate doesn’t reflect what consumers pay at the grocery store, and shoppers are changing their habits in response[1]. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices in the West increased 28.7% between August 2020 and August 2026[2]. In Oregon, the cost of basic necessities has risen faster than overall national inflation, according to United For ALICE[3] (described next).
ALICE VERSUS THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL
According to the World Population Review website, Gresham has a poverty rate of 13.04% as of 2026[4]. This is calculated using the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is used to determine eligibility for various subsidies. ALICE, which stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed, is a research initiative of United For ALICE. ALICE households have incomes above the FPL, but still cannot afford basic necessities.
The ALICE Threshold includes both households living in poverty and those earning above the poverty level but unable to afford basic necessities. Using 2024 ALICE data for six ZIP codes covering Gresham and nearby communities—97230, 97233, 97236, 97024, 97030, and 97080—the combined percentage of households that fall below the ALICE Threshold is 54%[5, 6]. That’s considerably worse than Gresham’s 13.04% FPL.
WHAT IS SNAP?
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provides monthly grocery benefits to eligible low-income households through an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card. Nearly 15% of Oregonians receive SNAP benefits. SNAP does not cover total food costs for its recipients[7]. More than 54% of SNAP participants are in families with children; more than 37% are in families that include older adults or people with disabilities; and more than 41% are in working families[8] (categories overlap). Not only does SNAP benefit recipients, it also supports Oregon’s economy. Each month, more than $123 million in SNAP benefits are spent at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food retailers in Oregon[9].
On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law—enacting major cuts to federal food and health assistance programs. The law phases in its provisions on a staggered schedule over the next decade, reducing SNAP food assistance and other subsidies[10]. As of June 2026, 126,000 fewer Oregonians were receiving federal food assistance compared to the same time last year[11].
THE 80-HOUR WORK RULE
One of the biggest changes to SNAP is the expansion of work requirements, which apply to an increasing number of Oregonians. Adults ages 18–64 without children under 14 in their household may now be subject to SNAP work requirements unless exempt. They are categorized as able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). They generally must complete 80 hours of work or approved activities, such as qualifying training or volunteer work, each month. Those who don’t meet the requirement can receive only three “countable” months of SNAP during Oregon's current three-year period, January 2025 through December 2027. The countable months don’t need to be consecutive. After three countable months, benefits generally end unless the person meets the work requirement or qualifies for an exemption[12].
Exemptions may apply to people with qualifying health conditions, caregivers, certain students, and others. Veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth no longer automatically exempt[13, 14]. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is encouraging people to contact the agency so staff can review their situation.
Presumably, the intent of requiring work is to reduce dependence on subsidies. However, ABAWDs don’t necessarily get a job if their SNAP benefits are cut. Research from the Urban Institute and the Hamilton Project shows that SNAP work requirements don’t boost employment but instead cause participants to drop out of the program[15, 16].
WHAT IS OREGON DOING TO HELP?
In 2026, Oregon lawmakers approved funding, computer system upgrades, and additional staff to administer SNAP and handle increased caseloads. They also approved limited, temporary assistance for immigrants who lost federal benefits. The legislators did not, however, pass bills to support the School Meals For All Initiative, or fund investments in Oregon’s Food Assistance Network[17, 18].
CAN FOOD BANKS MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE?
Unfortunately, it looks unlikely, although they are making a heroic effort. Oregon Food Bank estimates that SNAP provides nine meals for every one meal supplied by food banks. According to Oregon Food Bank’s 2026 State of Hunger Report, food bank visits across Oregon and Southwest Washington increased 51% over the past two years, reaching 2.9 million visits last year[19].
WHAT WE CAN DO NOW
If you’re not already doing something to help, start now. There are plenty of ways to donate time, effort, food, and money. I set up a monthly donation to Thimbleberry Collaborative Farm(https://thimbleberrycollaborativefarm.org/) in Boring. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a five-acre organic farm. This year, they donated 12,000 pounds of produce to food pantries in East Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, operated a free food stand, and provided meals[20]. See my article in this newsletter, Thimbleberry Collaborative Farm.
SnowCap Community Charities (https://www.snowcap.org/) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides food, clothing and other basics. They distribute prepacked food plus fresh and frozen food. SnowCap brings food to low-income schools and apartment complexes to reach children whose families are unable to get to their pantry. They also deliver food boxes and fresh produce to homebound seniors once a month[21].
East County Food Pantry (https://eastcountyfoodpantry.org/) provides food to people on Saturday mornings. They serve 3,000 people per month with a variety of produce, bakery goods, and other assorted grocery items. Food is supplied by Oregon Food Bank, Urban Gleaners, Clackamas Service Center, and others. The pantry is at Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church in Fairview. You can donate and sign up to volunteer on their website. They offer short shifts of one to four hours per week[22].
CONCLUSION
Now that we know more about the immediacy of food and hunger, we need to mobilize because the problem of hunger in Wilkes East and Gresham is on a worsening trajectory, with no resolution in sight. Ultimately, when the community pulls together, we gain friends and purpose, and all of us benefit. Let’s work to restore goodwill toward others and build a sense of community solidarity.
(Endnotes below this break)
