Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.
February 21, 2014 OHA Director's messages on the web
To: All OHA employees
From: Tina Edlund, acting director

The service of giving

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."
~Winston Churchill

At OHA, we strive every day to improve the lives of Oregonians. We do this by providing access to health services, caring for our most vulnerable citizens, promoting healthy behaviors and improving health care. I am often amazed by the passion and dedication of OHA staff in their pursuit of these goals, and these qualities are even more apparent during the Governor's State Employees Food Drive.

It's heartening to see the generosity and creativity displayed during this annual event. Across the agency, staff are rising to the challenge – holding bake sales, auctioning off homemade works of art and opening their wallets to feed hungry families across the state. And there is still a lot of need. As of December 2013, more than 436,000 Oregon households, representing more than 792,000 people, are receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

For every dollar donated during the food drive, the Oregon Food Bank collects and distributes four pounds of food or provides three meals. The Governor's Challenge to employees this year is to donate or pledge at least $10 per month or a one-time donation of $120, which would provide approximately 40 pounds of food or 30 meals per month. Here's what you can do to help:

  • Donate food – Look for barrels in your workplace where you can drop off non-perishable, store-bought items.
  • Make a payroll deduction – The easiest way to give, payroll deductions can be made monthly over a 12-month period or as a one-time deduction. The payroll deduction form is available on the state food drive website. Fill out the form and return it to your division or site coordinator.
  • Make a cash or check donation – Write a check payable to the Oregon Food Bank, or fill out a cash donation form.

For more information, visit the food drive website.

Thank you for your generosity, and thank you for all that you do to help Oregonians every day.

OHA on the web