Backwoods Brewing Steps Up to Help Combat Food Insecurity
Anyone who knows me well knows that food insecurity drives me nuts. The idea that anyone, especially a child, goes hungry in our society is preposterous. We have more than enough food. As I shared in a post recently, for more than 20 years, I’ve organized and hosted an annual fundraiser and food drive to support my local food bank. So, that having been said, reporting the following news makes me very happy.
Backwoods Brewing announced today the launch of its new nonprofit organization. The Backwoods Foundation is dedicated to providing meals to children in need, serving the communities around the places the brewery calls home. Backwoods Brewing operates locations in Washington (Carson) and Oregon (Hillsboro and Portland).
“We had been organizing annual fundraisers during our anniversary parties to fill bags with food for kids to take home on weekends and long breaks, like those coming up over Thanksgiving and Christmas,” says Tom Waters, Backwoods Brewing’s COO and co-founder. “This effort was originally led by a wonderful local nonprofit, 3 Squares, but when they decided to retire, they asked us to carry the torch.”
Backwoods accepted the challenge wholeheartedly. Since August, as the school year began, the Backwoods Foundation worked to pack and distribute weekend meals and break meals for over 120 children. The program is now expanding into additional communities where Backwoods has a presence, including Portland and Hillsboro.
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“The stories we’ve heard are heartbreaking,” shares Emily Waters, Director of the Backwoods Foundation. “Children in our own community face unstable food access and housing, with many of them eating all they can when they arrive at school because food at home is uncertain.”
With growing needs in the community and rising food costs, the Backwoods Foundation is seeking community support through one-time or monthly donations and volunteer involvement. “We know times are tight, but every bit helps us continue and grow this program,” says Steve Waters, Backwoods Brewing’s CEO. “Whether through donations or by volunteering on Thursdays in Carson, any help is appreciated.”
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For more information on how to donate or volunteer, visit www.backwoodsbrewingcompany.com/foundation.
Backwoods Foundation is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
