For many Americans, it’s a struggle every New Year to be consistent with their resolutions, from going to the gym to maintaining their diets. However, 2026 also brings a more sinister wave of food-related challenges.
Beginning in November, many Oregonians have been dealing with the impacts of SNAP cuts from the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Because of this, the Oregon Food Bank (OFB) has been working harder than ever to meet the needs of those in our Oregon communities.
“We are heartbroken, alongside our Oregon Food Bank community, by this cruel and devastating policy choice,” OFB officials said on the organization’s website.
The OFB distributes food to those in need across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Additionally, they work to make policies addressing the root causes of hunger. As an experience opportunity for the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) requirement for the IB diploma, the junior IB diploma candidates go on field trips to volunteer at the OFB location in Beaverton, where they pack bulk food into smaller portions that are distributed at local food pantries.
“The food bank’s great. It doesn’t take much time and it’s really easy work, especially once you get into it,” said Kaylen Castro, junior IB diploma candidate. “The last time I went, we were packing potatoes. While you’re working, it feels like you’re making a difference in the community, but it’s kind of hard to visualize until they bring out the stats. Pounds of food are meaningless, but you can visualize meals.”
At the end of every volunteering session, the Food Bank provides a set of statistics telling students how many pounds of food they packaged and the amount of “meals” that number equates to. It’s an opportunity for students to see the direct impact they made on the lives of others.
In November, IB diploma candidates packed 11,377 pounds of potatoes, which equates to 9,481 meals for the hungry in our communities. On other volunteering visits, students packed frozen squash and pasta.
However, packaging food is not only a volunteer opportunity for IB diploma candidates. Anyone can easily sign up for a two-hour shift to volunteer on the OFB website. It’s a great way to help protect the community in a time when food insecurity is causing extreme hardship.
