Food Bank Sign UPS

Philomath Food Bank 

If you have not signed up for the Philomath Food Bank, you may want to consider coming by the site Tuesday 3/31 from 4:30-7:30pm to sign up. This is the last day of March so this would be your March box. You would then be allowed to shop in April as well. Food Bank currently gives a food box to anyone who meets the 300% poverty level (note this is different than last year). Check the income below as it is the same for Gleaners as is for Food Bank to our knowledge. Boxes are available to pick up 1 time per month! We are encouraging everyone to sign up for the food bank and ensure your family has food.

If you signed up during Saturday, please make sure to come get your March Box. Your applications were taken to the food bank today.

D4 DHS Informational- Good Information HERE

District 4 Department of Human Services

Linn, Benton, Lincoln Counties

Self Sufficiency Programs 

Department of Human Services offices are OPEN! We are applying the use of social/physical distancing and encouraging all customers to send inquiries, applications, and to complete appointments via phone, email and online services.  The health of all Oregonians is of the utmost importance and we feel these measures are a necessary step to protect everyone.

https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/COVID-19/Pages/Home.aspx or Twitter @OregonDHS

Department of Human Services: SNAP, TANF, ERDC, OHP, Domestic Violence assistance

Online at: https://apps.state.or.us/onlineApplication/ 

https://one.oregon.gov/ (medical)

Branch offices

Albany: (541) 967-2078, (866) 279-3290, fax (541) 967-2099

Corvallis: (541) 757-4201, fax (541) 757-4110

Lebanon: (541) 259-5860, fax (541) 258-6042

Newport: (541) 265-2248, fax (541) 574-0173 

EBT (Oregon Trail card) replacement for lost and stolen cards

1-855-328-6715 https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do 

Childcare information for Parents and providers (DPU): 1-800-699-9074

24/7 mandatory reporting for children, elderly, and disabled: 1-855-503-SAFE

Unemployment benefits: Call 1-877-FILE-4-UI or file online https://www.oregon.gov/employ/unemployment/pages/default.aspx

Legal Aid https://lasoregon.org/ 

Linn/Benton: (541) 926-8678 1-800-817-4605 Lincoln: (541) 265-5305 1-800-222-3884

Community Services Consortium: housing & utility assistance, Veteran/youth/family services

Call 541-928-6335 or email info@communityservices.us  

211 info

Call 211 or https://www.211info.org/  for up to date information and referrals.

ADRC Aging and Disability Resource Connection

ADRCmail@ocwcog.org  https://www.adrcoforegon.org/

Linn/Benton: call (541) 967- 8630 Lincoln:  call (541) 336-2289  

Pollywog for resources and information on early learning and children under 5

https://pollywogfamily.org/ or call 541.917.4884

United Way Linn, Benton, Lincoln Counties

http://www.unitedwaylbl.org/ 

*Resource list includes school meal site information and other local resources 

Oregon Health Plan

Hello Gleaners,

This email came from RJS & Associates Insurance Services in Philomath and we thought it was important to share with everyone- 

We understand that in the midst of this pandemic it is more important than ever to ensure you have health coverage for you and your family. We are sending this email to give everyone the information and link needed to apply for Oregon Health Plan. This is to ensure that all of our clients have access to the resources our state provides.   To apply for the Oregon Health Plan, Please click the link below.  This will guide you through the process.  You can also contact: Customer Service at 800-699-9075. https://one.oregon.gov/ Click on “Apply Now” Follow instructions completely to submit your application. Write down your user name and password or (remember it to be able to log in and check on your status) Unfortunately with the Oregon Health Plan we are not able to complete the application for you and/or have access to their systems. It is prohibited for us to do so.  Should OHP deny your eligibility, please KEEP that letter as this will provide you with a qualifying event to access Private Insurance through the Marketplace.  WE THEN can assist you with future enrollment.   We are here to help answer as many questions as we can however.  Again, the Oregon Health Plan Customer Service number is: 800-699-9075 and/or you can access your local health department in your area. Please be safe and well in these trying times.

x

Changes to Gleaners Distribution – Effective 3/19/2020

Changes to Gleaners Distribution – Effective 3/19/2020

(Updates are expected weekly, so please check back with the Philomath Community Services Blog)

Please read instructions thoroughly to help this process go smoothly.  

Gleaners distributions will be drive-thru and on Saturday only until further notice.

• Please complete the new form below in order to begin receiving Gleaner Food Boxes.  We may be unable to provide you with a box with out following this first step.

• Ideally, forms should be completed by Friday, March 20, by midnight.  This will help us prepare for Saturday. If you do not plan to come Saturday, no need to fill out the form. 

• We expect to hold distribution from 11am until 2pm. Please remain in your car while waiting for distribution to begin.  Boxes will be given in the order that people arrive. There will be NO shopping LIST for shopping, it will be simply drive in and get your box. 

• Important changes to Note:  Our current plan is that you will NOT drive in like usual, please drive past the dumpster and go to the back of the building (basically backwards from what we do now). This will allow for a longer line to form without the need to be backed up to Main Street. Someone will meet you outside to bring your bags of groceries.

• Remember to keep your distance from all other members at the site, and remain in your vehicle.   Assume that the bathrooms will not be available.  

• Unless you have been asked specifically to help, you will not be needed to volunteer at this time. Please do not come to the door to ask. Required hours of service have been suspended at this time. Remember that our goal is to keep everyone safe while continuing to offer needed foods.

• In the event that you receive food that your household cannot use, Gleaners is unable to take it back into the program for redistribution at this time.

• Adoptee boxes will be built differently this week, but are expected to be delivered as usual.

Finally:  We are making every effort to do our very best, please be patient with us. Our greatest concern is for the health of everyone and to ensure that they have food in this difficult time. Please keep your families well and look out for your neighbors. 

If you need help with any of these steps, please call Alicia at 541-231-7127 and she help you. 

If you are unable to drive to the site, please let us know and we will try our best to make other accommodations.

Catherine, Patty and Alicia

Click this link for the form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU1WopOo9_qym8_7xZEHLbGIiAglXQH3ciiexC9toGwFmCgQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Winco Foods, Llc. Recalls Frozen Blackberries and Frozen Berry Medley Because of Possible Health Risk

Company Announcement

March 13th, 2020, WinCo Foods, LLC. of Boise, ID is recalling frozen Blackberries in a 16 oz. bag and frozen Berry Medley in 16 oz. and 32 oz. bags, manufactured by Rader Farms of Lynden, WA, because both products have the potential to be contaminated with Norovirus. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Typical symptoms of norovirus infection are acute onset of vomiting, watery, non-bloody diarrhea with abdominal cramps, and nausea. Systemic manifestations include, fever, myalgia and malaise, anorexia, and headache. Although most symptoms end within 48 hours, the elderly, young children and immunocompromised persons may develop prolonged or more severe symptoms.

WinCo Foods has removed the recalled products from store shelves.

Product was distributed to WinCo Foods stores in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Utah.

THIS NOTICE AFFECTS THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS (see attached labels). The Best By Code is located on the front of the package near the product image.

WINCO FOODS FROZEN BLACKBERRIES, 16 OZ. BAG – UPC: 70552-30502, Best By Code Dec/09/2021.

WINCO FOODS FROZEN BERRY MEDLEY, 16 OZ. BAG – UPC: 70552-30522, Best By Code Dec/09/2021.

WINCO FOODS FROZEN BERRY MEDLEY, 32 OZ. BAG – UPC: 70552-30512, Best By Code Dec/09/2021.

No customer illnesses have been reported to date. WinCo Foods was informed by the FDA that a sample of the product was tested by the FDA and found to be contaminated with Norovirus.

Consumers who have purchased the products are urged to destroy or return them to the stores for a full refund of the product.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at (1-800-824-1706) (Business hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-4:30 MST).

ALERT for Shopping

Alert!!

For the safety of our workers, shoppers, and families,
we ask that you stay in your vehicle until we call you in
to shop.

Thank you for your cooperation

– Philomath Gleaners Volunteers

This was posted on the door to the site on Saturday March 14th. We will let you know how we will be working Saturday the 21st. 

Saturday Shopping March 14th Updates to process, etc

Goals during Coronavirus impacts to our community:

1.  To continue to provide food to families that are Gleaner members - this may change to include

Food Bank and other community members.  Our Adoptee Box program will continue, although with some

modifications. Food will continue to be distributed with equity for all and based on family size.

2. To minimize the risk for our members, officers and Board who are working to ensure a secure food

supply for all member households.

3.  To maintain a safe and un-compromised facility that allows us to serve Goal 1 and 2. 
This is an extraordinarily complex undertaking – please be patient with us. The alternative is

suspending our food programs.

Procedure for Gleaners for Saturday, March 14, 2020

Note:  We are taking extra precautions to sanitize frequent touch points (carts, door handles, table tops,
appliance surfaces, weigh station etc.)  All non-assigned members at this time are being asked to remain out
of the building to limit exposure to our membership. Assigned members are limited to store pick-up members
(Saturday only) and managing staff to facilitate today-only procedure.

Please consider this checklist before arriving at Philomath Community Services:

• Have I had any recent high-risk contacts in the community outside of my household? 
• Do I have or recently had any symptoms like coughing, aches, fever or difficulty breathing?
• Am I sharing a household with any high-risk family members or guests – elderly,

immune-compromised or chronic health conditions (heart, diabetes, breathing issues)?

• Are my risks of Corona virus exposure higher because I am unable practice safe hygiene

measures because of my household circumstances (such as frequent hand washing,

hand sanitizing, etc) ?

• Have I recently traveled by airplane or cruise from any destination that has confirmed

Corona virus cases?

If you answered Yes to any of these questions today, out of an abundance of safety for all members,
it will be best for us to build a food box for you today and for you to remain in your vehicle rather than
enter the building.  An assigned staff person or member will assist in getting food for your family.

**If you appear to be ill, or exhibit Coronavirus symptoms, you will likely be asked to leave the
PCS site in order to protect everyone including yourself.    We will make other arrangements to get
food for your household.**

Shopping procedure HAS CHANGED for today:

1.  **Please do not arrive to site unless you are part of an assigned crew.  The front lobby will be closed
as a waiting are until further notice.  Check in at the front door starting at 11am where your name will be
taken for the shopping list.  Please return to your vehicle to wait for your turn to shop. Note:  If your name
was previously assigned an order because of work crew volunteer time, your name will remain in that order.

2. When it is your turn to shop, the front check-in person will invite you to come into the building.         
--Proper hand washing will be required.
-Gloves for handling food during the shopping process will also be required.

3. Please be quick and efficient in shopping.  No phones, no unnecessary chatting, no reading labels
today.  If it is product that you can use, take it home. We are allowing for two additional meats
today, twice your normal allowance of cage items (shelf stable and dry goods area) and as much
frozen rice, blueberries, beans and carrots that you can reasonably take and USE.  Please do not
over-shop at the risk of shorting other members, but shop for the next 2 weeks with cage, extra
bread and large volume produce items. You will be asked to return items if you are excessively
shopping items that are limited in quantity.

4. Please weigh out quickly, take the cart out to your vehicle to unload and return to the front door
where it will be sanitized for the next person before use. 

PLEASE, practice social distancing by keeping 6 ft from any other person, covering an unexpected
cough or sneeze, and avoiding the traditional hand-shakes, greetings and hugs.  We are one big
family here and this is often hard, but best for everyone under the current situation.

Next Food Distribution Day, Saturday March 21, 2020

NOTE:  There will be no traditional shopping during the week.  Wednesday distributions are
cancelled until further notice.  

• Our next food distribution day will be Saturday, March 21, 2020 beginning at noon, if there

are no quarantines or restrictions that would prohibit food distribution within the community.

Work crew options are available to healthy households, but will be very limited to pick ups and box

building/delivery until further notice.  If you wish to assist with either of these tasks, please call

Catherine, Patty or Alicia.

• Pick ups will go on as scheduled until further notice.  All food from the weeks pick-ups will be

held until the next Saturday for distribution.

• We have anticipated the possibility that we may need to suspend normal shopping operations

and even restrict pickups from stores.  At this time it is our expectation that we will be putting
together boxes for ALL households starting Saturday, March 21, 2020. We will do the best to
accommodate preference.  Please fill out the basic needs survey for your family and leave
with us today so that we can better prepare your box.

• Remember to check the Blog for updates regularly and especially as we approach Saturday

to get updates on Box pickup procedures.  We expect them to be built by a limited crew,
and prepared for pickup during normal Saturday distribution hours.
Think drive-through Gleaners.

• In the event that the normal Gleaners operations have to be suspended (which will be a

decision that is out of our control), we want to assure our members that we are looking at
contingency operations to ensure some kind of food supply for our community. 
We ask that you be patient in the process. We are here to support you in any way that
we can. Stay well, be purposeful in your planning for the next few weeks and most
importantly practice measure to keep your family safe.  

Note:  HOURS OF SERVICE REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING SUSPENDED DURING THIS TIME.  However, if you are
healthy and able to assist in pick-ups and box building/distribution, please contact Catherine, Patty or Alicia.   
The health of your family and that of our other Gleaners members is a priority.

Catherine, Patty and Alicia

and the PCS Board Members

*Special thanks to Jean for working so closely with the Board support to help us through these
difficult times.

Feellng in Need...

If you know of any in need:

•       Feeling lonely or isolated? Text  OREGON to 741741.

•       Anxious about the coronavirus? Text SHARE to 741741

•       Did you know you can send a message to Crisis Text Line on Facebook Chat and be connected with a crisis Counselor?

•       Benton County Crisis Line:  1-888-232-7192

•       Community Outreach Crisis Line: 541-758-3000

Philomath Students 18 and Younger - School Lunches

Philomath Schools Update:

1. Lunches will be provided to anyone 18 years and younger, Monday-Friday, March 16-31. It will be “grab and go” at Clemens Primary School from 12:00 to 1:00. 

2. If a student receives the weekend snack pack, school counselors will be reaching out to them individually to arrange pick up. 

The district is doing its best to continue to meet student needs. Teachers and counselors will be checking emails daily. If you know of, or hear of any student in need, or in crisis of any kind, please let the school district know.

Website Info:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDHS/bulletins/28112f6

More information on closures and cancellations...
https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/cm/page/city-announces-closures-and-cancellations-related-covid-19

COVID

COVID update: We want you all to know we are fervently working to ensure the health and safety for our families. Please link your email to the above link so you will get updates to all program activities! We are hoping to post any information on this blog to keep everyone as up to date as we can be. This could be our new way of communication. -Alicia-

Who are we?

Philomath Community Gleaners a program run through Philomath Community Services (a 501c3) in Philomath, Oregon.  

Philomath Community Services was Founded in 1991, the mission of Philomath Community Services Inc is to provide social services to meet the needs of families and individuals in Philomath and western Benton County. We strive to serve all our clients with dignity and respect. One building, five programs: Currently, PCS focuses on programs that provide food, garden education, clothing, select daily living items, fire wood, and seasonal gift baskets to those local individuals and families who need these services the most. 

All programs are housed under one roof to minimize overhead. PCS is a volunteer-based organization with a paid Executive Director and is overseen by a Board of Directors made up of local residents. This is truly a “neighbor helping neighbor” group of people who care for and want to make life better for their friends and neighbors.