Vancouver Food Network

Everyone needs a little help sometimes, and everyone is better for having helped others. Below is some basic information on finding local food assistance in Clark County, Washington.

Soup Kitchens

"Soup kitchen" is a general term from the great depression for a facility (often run by a church or non-profit organization) that provides free or inexpensive meals to anyone.

• Hot meals are served daily at Share House, 1115 W 13th St, Vancouver WA 98660
• Share also provides summer meal assistance through its "children's hunger initiative."

Free and Reduced Lunch

As a response to the poor health of military recruits from low-income families, the USDA established the school lunch program was established in the mid-1940's and expanded to include free breakfast in the 1960's. This program provides USDA-subsidized food and other assistance to local schools, with a majority of students in Clark County qualifying for this benefit, although not every family applies.

Applications for free and reduced meals (breakfast and lunch) are distributed at the beginning of each school year and are available through most classroom teachers, counselors or the school office. Since this program is administered on the district level, a single form may be completed for all children in a household, even if they attend different schools. Phone your local school district or office for details.

General information on the program is available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FRP/frp.process.htm but forms for any given district must be obtained from that school district.

Food Stamps

"Food stamps" (or EBT) is a program administered by the USDA which seeks to support American agriculture by providing assistance to low-income individuals in obtaining basic nutrition. Because this program is administered through the states, initial application is usually through a state office. The main office for this in Clark County is in Town Center Plaza (the old Tower Mall)

• Columbia River Community Services Office #53, (360) 759-2800
• 5411 E. Mill Plain Blvd, Building #1 (Town Center Plaza), Vancouver WA 98661

Toll free: (800) 287-1745, TTY: (360) 696-6334, The Answer Phone: (877) 980-9220

Begin online application at https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/onlineapp/introduction_1.asp

Loaves and Fishes Meals Sites

The Loaves and Fishes lunch program provides hot noon meals and activities at various sites around Clark County for people 60 and older and their spouses, for a suggested donation of $2.75. Others may also eat for $6.80 and food stamps are accepted. No reservations required.

• Vancouver's Leupke Center 11:30-1pm weekdays, 1009 East McLoughlin Blvd (behind Marshall Center). (360) 695-3847.
• Washougal Community Center, Monday-Thursday @ 11:40, 1681 "C" Street, (360) 210-5666.
• Ridgefield Community Center, Wednesdays at noon, 210 N Main, (360) 567-7670.
• Battle Ground Community Center, 11:30-1pm weekdays 912 East Main Street, (360) 666-9158.
• La Center Community Center, Thursdays at noon, 1000 East Fourth St, (360) 567-7670.
• Vancouver's Firstenberg Community Center, Weekdays 11:30-1:30pm, 700 NE 136th Ave, (360) 597-5711.
• Camas Senior Center, Fridays at 11:30 am, 1718 SE Seventh St, (360) 210-5666.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is a nutrition assistance program that focuses on the elderly, disabled and other shut-ins, helping to deliver at least one nutritious mail each day through the help of volunteers. This program is not income-based

• For meals or general information, please phone Loaves and Fishes Centers, Inc., toll-free at (866) 788-6325
• To volunteer please phone (360) 695-3847
• http://www.loavesandfishesonline.org

WIC (Women, Infants & Children) Food Assistance

Basic Information on WIC or help finding a store

• Clark County Public Health, 1601 E 4th Plain Blvd, Vancouver WA 98661, (360) 397-8459
• Clark County Public Health, 701 E Main St, Battle Ground WA 98604, (360) 687-7126
• Cowlitz Family Health Center, 1251 Lewis River Rd Suite D, Woodland WA 98674, (360) 225-4310
• East County Public Health Resource Center, 702 "C" Street, Washougal WA 98671, (360) 835-7802
• Skamania County Health Department, 683 SW Rock Creek Dr, Stevenson WA 98648, (509) 427-387

General Nutritional Information

http://www.clark.wa.gov/health/wic/links.html

Food Banks and Pantries

There are a variety of private agencies and churches which provide food assistance, with Oregon Food Bank the main umbrella organization for our area. Please visit their web site for information on how to obtain assistance, volunteer at their main warehouse, organize a food drive in your community or otherwise assist them. Among the major food drives in Clark County are the "walk and knock" each December and the letter carrier collection each May. In addition to providing emergency food boxes, Oregon Food Bank also has programs for gardeners, teaching people to garden and in nutrition education.

USDA Commodities Distribution

The federal department of agriculture provides commodity foodstuffs such as cheese and peanut butter in Clark County during the first three weeks of each month. To qualify one must be a Clark County resident with an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. For more information and to see if you qualify, please phone (360) 892-9050. Distribution centers are arranged by ZIP code.

• 98660, 98661, 98663, 98665:
  Weekdays 10a-N, 1-4pm at Salvation Army, 7509 NE 47th Avenue.
• 98662, 98664, 98682, 98683, 98684:
  Weekdays at 10am or 12:30-2:30pm at FISH Orchards, 6008 NE 110th Avenue.
• 98607, 98671:
  Third Monday 9am-4pm, Interfaith Treasure House, 91 "C" Street in Camas.
• 98601, 98604, 98606, 98622, 98674, 98675:
  First Monday 10am-Noon, North County Food Bank, 400 SW Second, Battle Ground.