Newport Avenue Market in Bend, Ore., is celebrating a mission accomplished: The company’s “Food for February” campaign held in December resulted in a fresh food donation that will produce 5,000 meals per month for nearly five months.
The December campaign raised $12,668.24 from customer donations. Inspired by that level of generosity from its shoppers, Newport Market owners Rudy Dory and Lauren G.R. Johnson matched funds dollar-for-dollar for a total of $25,336.48.
Newport Market worked hand-in-hand with major brands carried in the store to order hundreds of fresh foods, at wholesale prices, from Family Kitchen’s wish list. To start, provisions include high-grade meats, 360 gallons of milk, 240 dozen eggs, 300 pounds of lunchmeats and 240 pounds of cheeses. The food supply will be delivered to Family Kitchen for 26 to 30 consecutive weeks, starting Feb. 3.
Donna Burklo, development and marketing director for Family Kitchen, said, “The response from the community and the support shown by Newport Avenue Market are overwhelming to us. We keep shaking our heads in disbelief. It’s hard to know exactly what impact this will have, since the value of each dollar donated and matched is then multiplied by the buying power of the wholesale prices available to Newport Market. This goes a long, long way toward helping us feel confident we’ll be able to continue to meet the need.”
“We are proud to be part of one of the largest food donations in the tri-county region, thanks to our generous customers,” said Johnson, “head cheerleader” at Newport Avenue Market. “December was truly a time of giving this holiday season. We are absolutely flabbergasted by the generosity of our customers and caring community. February is historically one of the hardest hitting months for hungry families in Central Oregon and this campaign will deliver food for several months.”
Newport Avenue Market has been family-owned since 1976. It has a “live locally, eat globally” attitude and a “strong commitment to providing top quality products and customer-focused services in an environment that is unique, inviting and fun to shop in,” the company says.
In the feature photo at top: Cindy Tidball, program coordinator for Family Kitchen, and Newport Avenue Market co-owner Lauren G.R. Johnson, with some of the store’s fresh food donation.
