After failing in recent years to convince the Oregon Legislature to extend food benefits to tens of thousands of immigrants, an anti-hunger coalition is narrowing its scope this year to addressing coming cuts to federal food aid. Oregonians made more than 2.9 million visits to food pantries last year, a 50% increase from 2023, according to the Oregon Food Bank. “This is not about charity,” Oregon Food Bank President Andrea Williams said. Matt Newell-Ching, senior public policy manager at the Oregon Food Bank, said advocates were “heartbroken” to give up on the goal of food aid for all, regardless of immigration status, during this legislative session. Families he works with are losing an average of $400 per month in food benefits and many are forced to choose between rent and groceries.

Source: Ethiopian News February 06, 2026 02:38 UTC