Linn and Benton County Agencies receive Garden Grants

Linn Benton Food Share is pleased to announce that several of our partner agencies in Linn and Benton counties have received grants from Oregon Food Bank for gardening projects.

Linn County recipients are Albany Helping Hands, the SHEM Manna Soup Kitchen in Sweet Home and the Sweet Home Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam.

In Benton County, Jackson Street Youth Shelter and Parent Enhancement Program, both of Corvallis, received grants.

The grants are from Oregon Food Bank’s Network Support Fund, a set aside by OFB’s Board of Directors to help regional food banks and local agencies with unexpected costs or program improvement opportunities. These awards range from $145 to $500, and are for garden equipment such as irrigation supplies, kid-sized gloves and boots, tools, and a small hoop house.

Agencies will use produce from the gardens for their meal programs, and the experience working in these gardens will help participating children, youth and adults learn gardening skills.

Test Smoke Alarms

The Office of State Fire Marshal is urging residents to test their smoke alarms now.
To check your alarm properly, the Fire Marshal recommends that you do the following:

• Push the test button to be sure the battery is working.


• Vacuum the alarm to rid it of dust and cobwebs.


• Inspect your alarm to determine if it is 10 years old or older.

Replace any smoke alarm 10 years old or more and any alarm that does not operate.
working smoke alarms provide a critical early warning to a fire, allowing you vital minutes to escape, increasing your chances of survival.

Spring Food Drive

Girl Scouts stop for a photo after unloading and sorting donated food for the Spring Food Drive April 14.

Spring Food Drive Coordinator, Sue Long with Keller Williams Realty stands with Susan James, Gleaning and volunteer Coordinator from Linn Benton Food Share.

At the end of the day, Girl Scout groups had collected and sorted 6 delivery-truck sized totes of donated food. The food goes to Linn Benton Food Share where it will be distributed in Linn and Benton counties to people who need food.