Public schools are a lifeline for food access in the Portland area. Thankfully, Portland students will continue to have access to resources during the Portland Association of Teachers’ union (PAT) strike.

Many school food pantries and markets located at Portland Public Schools (PPS) buildings will be closed until the strike ends, but food is still available for you and your family while Portland educators fight for increased student supports and living wages.

Here are some resources:

The school district will continue to provide meals for students as “grab and go” meals throughout the strike. Over half of the schools are meal sites. Click here for a map of the meal sites.

  • Meals are free for all kids, ages 1-18 and all current PPS students. 
  • Meals are available for pick up on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, between 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. 
  • Adult caregivers will be able to pick up 1 day worth of meals on behalf of youth in their household (ages 1 to 18)
  • No student ID or paperwork will be required. 
  • Meals will be distributed inside of the school building. Look for the identified door, or reach out to your school administration with further questions.

PPS will also be distributing free meals for the duration of the strike at the following apartment complexes and affordable housing communities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays:

Ramona, 1550 NW 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97209, 11:00-11:30
Vibrant, 1620 NW 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97209, 12:00-12:30
Abigail, 1650 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209, 12:00-12:30
Jantzen Beach RV Park, 1503 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217, 11:00-11:30
Pier Park Apartments, 8660 N Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR 97203, 12:00-12:30
Magnolia, 3250 NE MLK Jr Blvd Portland OR 97212, 12:00-12:30
Patton Park, 5272 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97217, 11:00-11:30
Fox Run, 9000 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211, 12:00-12:30
Hacienda, 6700 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97218, 11:00-11:30
The Terrace at Columbia Knoll, 8320 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97220, 11:00-11:30
Multnomah Manor, 9110 NE Hassalo St, Portland, OR 97220, 12:00-12:30
Scott Mountain Apartments, 7828 SE Aspen Summit Dr, Portland, OR 97266, 12:00-12:30
Bellrose Station, 7828 SE Aspen Summit Dr, Portland, OR 97266, 12:00-12:30
Stephens Creek Crossing, 6715-6861 SW 26th Ave, Portland, OR 97219, 11:00-11:30

Schools Uniting Communities (SUN) partner agencies and Oregon Food Bank have organized alternate “pop-up” locations to do food distribution during the strike. They will each operate one day a week, for as long as the strike lasts, and are open to anyone. As of now, there will be 3 alternate “pop-up pantries:” 

  • Inner NE: Self Enhancement, Inc.
    3920 N Kerby Ave, Portland OR 97227
    Fridays, 3pm-6pm
  • North/St. Johns: St. Johns Community Center
    8427 N Central St, Portland, OR 97203
    Mondays, 1pm-3pm
  • SE/Lents: Brentwood Darlington Community Center
    7211 SE 62nd Ave, Portland OR 97206
    Thursdays, 11am-1pm

We encourage you to use Oregon Food Bank’s FoodFinder tool to locate additional food pantries and meal sites near you: https://foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org/

Many Urban Gleaners Food Markets are still open during the closure. Check out their website for an updated list of sites: urbangleaners.org/free-food-markets

For additional ways of accessing food, check out some of the Portland area’s mutual aid networks: 

You can find some additional resources beyond accessing food (child care, special needs, etc) via this OPB article And on the Portland Public Schools Resource Site.

A table is set up outdoors with snacks and groceries piled up in tupperware on top of. There is a sign taped to the table that rads "Free Groceries" in three languages.
Urban Gleaners is hosting many Free Food Markets that are available even while school is closed.