JOHN KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

​Hi, All,

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This is Jim Johnson, Chair of Keizer Community Food Bank (KCFB). I have been Chair for 9 years.

 

KCFB has been in existence as a charity (a 501(c)3 tax exempt company) since about 2005. Prior to 2005, John Knox Presbyterian Church (JKPC) operated the food bank as part of their local mission. This began about 1988. By about 2000, the capacity limit was attained at JKPC. At that time JKPC joined with 4 other churches (Clear Lake Methodist, Keizer Church of Christ, St. Edwards Catholic, and Faith Lutheran) to create KCFB. The location was moved to Faith Lutheran Church so more clients could be served.

 

KCFB is totally manned by volunteers. All monies donated are used to purchase food over and above the food provided to us by Marion Polk Food Share (MPFS), as required. KCFB is a pantry partner to MPFS and Oregon Food Bank (OFB). All of our work is directed by US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

 

KCFB's mission is to provide food boxes to the food insecure of Marion and Polk Counties. The only qualification to receive food boxes is to meet income guidelines defined by USDA. [We qualify each client at registration. No documentation is required.]...

 

Since the end of COVID the number of clients per distribution has continued to increase and KCFB continues to adapt to serve more clients per distribution. In September 2026, we averaged 170 clients served per distribution. On October 15, we provided 225 food boxes. More could have been served but we ran out of food.

 

As a result, the space that we operate in needs to expand to meet the need... This project includes modifying the building size from 24' x 24' to 24' x 54' totally dedicated to food handling. This includes full HVAC conditioning, installation of a walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer to increase our storage capacity, addition of a storage container to store any non-food items we use. This should allow us to serve more than 300 clients per distribution (as a conservative estimate).

 

The total project costs are estimated and planned to be about $350,000. We had been given 'starter' funds from Faith Lutheran in January 2025 of $195,000. A fantastic contribution! That means we need about $155,000 to complete this project. This is a big ASK. We intend to be completed by June 2027.

 

I am appealing to the communities we serve to donate these funds. Help us continue to serve the food insecure. We will partner with you to raise the money via special events if desired. Donations can be via mailed checks to the food bank. Cash contributions can be accepted Mondays and Wednesdays about noon at the food bank. On-line we have a GiveBox associated with our Facebook account. (https://www.facebook.com/KeizerCommunityFoodBank) Please indicate that the funds are for the BUILDING FUND

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Thank you for your generous giving. We cannot do our mission without your donations. If you have any questions, contact us at this email address, phone, or visit our facilities.

 

Thank you so much!!!!

Sincerely, Jim Johnson

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