86 Hunger Free Food Truck

I’m Miranda, cofounder of a small nonprofit called 86 Hunger working toward sustainable solutions for local hunger and food insecurity in Lane County, Oregon.

Each week 86 Hunger volunteers offer free plant-based meals and produce boxes made from rescued farmer’s market produce to neighbors in need from our Free Market, which has distributed hundreds of free meals and thousands of pounds of organic farm produce since our first market in 2022. Since 86 Hunger has no physical home of our own, we cook around 50 meals from a tiny cafe kitchen each week and serve them here every Saturday. Now we’re getting requests for support from other agencies in town: housing agencies, shelters, and service sites in addition to more requests from individuals. It’s becoming clear that the community needs more from us - and we’re ready to offer more.

While our programs are open to anyone in need, right now that doesn’t mean everyone can access our services. Mobility issues, lack of reliable transportation and childcare needs are among the most commonly reported barriers for our guests in accessing nutritious meals in a safe and dignified way. That’s why we’ve created a plan for Lane County’s first FREE FOOD TRUCK, bringing mobile food support closer to neighbors in need on a rotating basis by partnering with housing and social service agency sites across Lane County. The truck will be renovated and staffed with help from Fall grant funding… but we need your help right away for the initial purchase!

Please contribute what you can to help 86 Hunger purchase our food truck by August 15th, bringing mobile food support with dignity to our Lane County neighbors!

The 1953 Chevrolet step van we have an opportunity to purchase is fully licensed and operational as a Class C Food Truck, in good condition with a clean title, new tires and no major repairs needed. Our mission with this truck is to make our free services mobile, improving food accessibility for under-resourced communities and reaching more people in need.

THE PLAN:

Step One: Fundraise $18,000 to purchase a food truck for 86 Hunger

Step Two: Collect feedback from the community via online and paper surveys (participate at 86hunger.org!). Form an Advisory Committee of current service recipients to inform and guide our Food Truck program planning. Organize “town hall” meetings with potential service site partners, to better understand unmet needs in under-resourced locations.

Step Three (Jan 2024): Hire an experienced and motivated Food Truck Program Manager through Fall grant funding, to be responsible for planning, building, and leading our free food truck project. 

Step Four (April 2024): Take Lane County’s first free food truck on the road! We’re partnering with housing agencies, shelter sites and social service agencies to meet people in need where they are. If you’re interested in partnering as a service site, we would love to hear from you - please visit Free Food Truck Project

TIME IS LIMITED - please help us meet our goal by August 15th to take advantage of this opportunity!

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YOU can help the 86 Hunger Foundation invest in local food security!

1) GIVE if you can, in any amount. All donations are tax-deductible

2) SHARE our message on social media or by talking with your friends + family

3) EMAIL this page - gofundme.com/86hungertruck - to anyone who may be able to contribute

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With gratitude,

Miranda and 86 Hunger