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2021 Winter Holiday Resource List

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Food Boxes

Food distribution centers are uncertain if they will be providing holiday-type food. 

  1. Food for Lane County Food Pantries
    Call for nearest food box distribution site: (541) 343-2822
    Eugene/Springfield Food Pantry Directory• Rural Food Pantry Directory

  2. Burrito Brigade
    Phone: (541) 632-3239
    Food Pantry Hours: Monday – Thursday 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
    Location: You can pick up a free food box at Sonrise Christian Church, 1300 Irvington Drive Eugene, OR 97404.
    Go onto website to sign up for a 5-minute food box pick-up slot. Registration for the week opens on Sunday evening, so please check the website. Please fill out the form to signup for food box delivery. 
    Questions? Email: info@burritobrigade.org or call 541-632-3239.

  3. Catholic Community Services 
    Phone: (541) 345-3628
    Food Pantry Hours: The Food Pantry is open to the public on Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Regular office hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Except Thursdays, we close at 3:30.
    Locations:
    Eugene Site:     1464 West 6th Avenue, Eugene
    Springfield Site: 1025 G Street, Springfield
    COVID-19 Response: Pre-made bags of food are available.

  4. Community Food for Creswell
    Phone: (541) 870-2252
    Location: Cobalt Building, 364 Cobalt Lane, off N. 5th/N. Harvey Rd., Creswell
    Food Pantry Hours: Every Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Closed on Thanksgiving). Income-eligible customers may receive fresh produce, canned and packaged foods, as well as frozen meat each week as needed. Grab and Go Meal Boxes are also available at the Food Pantry. Covid-19 Care Bags are also available with masks, hand sanitizer, and information on vaccinations.
    COVID-19 Response: We ask that our customers form a vehicle line that begins at our entrance at 364 Cobalt Lane and runs eastward to First Street. Our staff will provide instruction regarding entrance to the parking lot, hands-free intake, and food loading while customers remain in their vehicle. We will be wearing face masks or shields and sanitizing our hands frequently.

  5. Cottage Grove Community Sharing Holiday Food Box
    Phone:     (541) 942-2176
    Location: 1440 Birch Ave., Cottage Grove
    Office Hours: Mondays 1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    Food-Box Distribution Hours: December 20th from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
    Applications Available: Nov 1st – Nov 24th. Applications are required for the annual Holiday Food Box and Tree of Joy programs. Proof of income will be needed! Pay stubs or award letters for social security will be accepted. A self-attestation paper can be provided to those with no income. Delivery of food boxes will be available as well. Applications are available online, by calling 541-942-2176, or filled out in person at the location listed above.

  6. Junction City Local Aid
    Phone: (541) 998-3992
    Location: 210 E 6th Avenue, Junction City
    Food Pantry Hours: Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursdays 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., and last Saturday of each month 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
    COVID-19 Response: We offer hand sanitizer for our guests to use. Our staff and volunteers follow food handling best practices, including frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Maintaining a safe environment in our pantry is of the utmost importance. This is why we must ask all clients who are ill to please stay home (even if they don’t have COVID-19). Folks can arrange in advance for an authorized representative to pick up their monthly or weekly food items for them. Just give us a call and we can help you make the necessary arrangements.

  7. St. Matthews Episcopal Church – Food Distribution
    Phone:     (541) 689-4010
    Location: 4110 River Rd, Eugene
    Food Pantry Hours: November 20th and December 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Starting in January, they will resume with the last Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
    In response to COVID-19: Everyone must maintain 6-feet of distance from each other. PRAY BiG Pantry is now operating a shopping style pantry. Masks are required. Physical distancing strictly enforced. Sorry-no use of the restroom.

  8. Veneta/Elmira Kiwanis Holiday Food Box and To-Go Meals 
    Phone: (541) 935-4555 Ext. 100
    Food Box: Love Project Food Pantry takes applications for a Drive Through/No Contact distribution of food boxes. More details on the location and time of distribution are available on the applications.
    Applications: Available December 1st. Pick-up at Rays Food Place or Banner Bank (same parking lot) 25013 OR-126, Veneta, 97487
    Food Box Pick Up Date: December 18th

Holiday Meal Sites

  1. Junction City Moose Lodge #2238
    Phone:     (541) 998-1164
    Location: 427 Front St., Junction City
    The Lodge is partnering with other local organizations for a Community Thanksgiving Dinner and other holiday activities. Call 541-998-1164 for information or visit their Facebook page for updates.

  2. Veneta/Elmira Kiwanis Holiday Food Box and To-Go Meals
    Phone: (541) 935-4555 Ext. 100
    Location and Hours: To-Go Meals will be provided at the Fern Ridge Service Center at 25035 West Broadway, Veneta on Wednesday, November 24th between 2:00 p.m.- 4 p.m.

Holiday Gift Programs

1.   S.A.N.T.A. Project (Sharing Among Neighbors Toy Appeal)

Phone: (541) 935-3282

Location: Veneta Elementary Gymnasium, 88131 Territorial Hwy, Veneta

No application is required. Participants must live in the Fern Ridge Area and proof of child’s age is required.Call for more details or visit their Facebook group for information on eligibility and requirements:

Distribution Time: Saturday December 11th at 9:00 a.m.

2.   Cottage Grove Tree of Joy

Phone: (541) 942-2176

Location: 1440 Birch Ave., Cottage Grove

Starting November 1st – 24th, applications will be taken for the annual Tree of Joy program. Applications for Tree of Joy are in-person paper only at our office.

3.   Toys for Tots

Want to volunteer? Please register on the website or contact us at EugeneT4T@usmc.mil.

Requirements: Toys for children up to age 13. Requirements: Proof of Lane County residency, proof that the child lives with you, and proof of child’s age is needed. We strongly suggest you do not bring children with you. Tickets are issued to minimize the wait time but are not required to receive toys on the dates of the distribution.

Acceptable Documents:For Parents: Local photo ID or photo ID with local mail (to show Lane County residency)

For Children: The first sheet of a medical card showing both the parent’s and child’s names, IRS tax forms, Renter’s Agreements, ODHS paperwork that includes both the parents and child’s name(s), any other legal document that includes the names of the parent(s) and the child’s name(s) and date of birth(s).

Eugene/Springfield

Tickets Distribution Site: 2525 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Eugene from 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 17thToy Distribution Site: 3106 Pierce Parkway, Springfield, OR

  • Toy Distribution from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 11th

    • Toy Distribution from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 12th

Oakridge

Toy Distribution Site: Oakridge Fire Station, 47592 OR-58, Oakridge

  • Tickets will be issued at the distribution site until December 10th.

    • Toy Distribution from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 11th

Cottage Grove

Toy Distribution Site: Cottage Grove Fire Station, 233 E Harrison Ave.

  • No tickets issued for this distribution.

    • Toy Distribution from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 12th

Florence

Toy Distribution Site: 2625 US – 101 Florence, OR

  • No tickets issued for this distribution

    • Toy Distribution from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4th

Please contact the organizations listed here to verify the information and obtain any updates.

This list was compiled by Community Partnership Coordinators: Maritza Herrera maritza.y.herrera@dhsoha.state.or.us and Tricia Merrick TRICIA.L.MERRICK@dhsoha.state.or.us. Updates? Please contact them at their email addresses.(Revised 11/21)

Grow Your Social Support Network to Reduce Isolation

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Along with all the joys and precious moments with your little one, parenting a new baby can be lonely work. Especially as a new parent – you are adapting to a lot! There are long days of seemingly endless feedings and diaper changes, rocking and swaying, swaddling and then re-swaddling—and, ironically, you are never really alone. The days seem long, and lack of sleep makes them seem even longer. You feel depleted and alone.If you have felt this way, you are not the only one. Many parents report feeling lonely, isolated, and unsupported during the first year of their baby’s life. A lack of support from family and friends, and even a lack of contact with other adults, can increase the chance of developing a Postpartum Mood Disorder—and the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t helped the situation. You may be afraid to connect with others in person, and virtual connections are difficult with a fussy baby in your arms. Even when family and friends are supportive, there are likely hours and hours every day that parenting is all up to you.But there are ways you can support yourself during this joyful yet challenging time so you can best care for your family. You may even find some fun connections along the way!

Find and connect with other parents

It’s not uncommon to feel isolated as a new parent: your own parents live far away; you are new to the area; you don’t have friends with young children; you just switched jobs or left your job either temporarily or permanently.In Lane County, there are lots of organizations that specialize in creating opportunities for parents to meet one another and make connections. It can be helpful to talk to other parents who have had similar experiences to yours. If you enjoy talking to other parents, find a local group of parents that matches your values and interests. Here are some options:

  • Parenting Now: Offers parenting groups that are age-specific, including Infants, ONEs, TWOs, and THREEs. Also offers a drop-in Baby Connection program for feeding support for those with infants under one year.

  • Daisy CHAIN: Offers weekly Baby Pop Music in the Park classes, as well as free birth and postpartum doula services and lactation support. These classes are drop-in and so fun for everyone! Music can lift your spirit, and who doesn’t love a group of babies dancing with their caregivers?

  • Facebook Parenting Groups: There are many private groups on Facebook for parents. Some are specific to attachment parenting or nursing, while others are more general such as Eugene Springfield Moms, MOM Eugene, The Coolest Mamas in Eugene, Florence Oregon Moms and Dads.

  • Healthy Families Lane County: Offers free individualized parent support for expecting parents and those with a newborn baby. Call Parenting Now for more information.

  • Nurturely: Babywearing & Bailando Program: Free in-person meetups in local area parks for parents and supporters. In Spanish and English!

  • WellMama: Peer-led groups for pregnancy and postpartum support. When you’re feeling down, reach out here to others who have felt that way too.

Talk with a professional

In addition to building your network of parent friends, you could also seek the support of professionals who specialize in postpartum support. Parenting Educators, Family Support Specialists, family therapists, and your OBGYN can all help navigate the ups and downs of parenting and lend a sympathetic ear when you are struggling. Postpartum Support International has many resources to share. You can find them at https://www.postpartum.net/

When it feels like it’s too much

Sometimes even a strong support system isn’t enough to keep you from feeling down.If you start to feel depressed most of the day; feel scared or anxious; develop little interest in things that used to give you joy; feel tired all the time; have trouble sleeping or sleep too much; have trouble bonding with your baby; or have thoughts of harm to yourself or others it is possible that you have developed a Postpartum Mood Disorder.It’s important to note that having a Postpartum Mood Disorder is not your fault. In fact, it is so common that 1 in 5 mothers report experiencing Postpartum Depression. Fathers can also experience PPD. But it is treatable. If you think you have signs or symptoms of Postpartum Mood Disorder, call your healthcare provider right away.Parenting is a hard job. But you are not alone in this journey—there are people who want to help, and lots of parents who are right there with you, ready to support you and your family.

This article is brought to you by Parenting Now Parenting Educators and authors Amanda Bedortha, Claire Davis and Lynne Swartz, and consultant Jay Thompson. Parenting Now offers parenting groups and drop-in programs for families with children 0-8, and is passionate about happy, healthy families. For more information about Parenting Now, please visit their website or contact us at info@parentingnow.org.

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

Are you interested in receiving more parenting advice? Triple P Online – Positive Parenting Program could be for you! This online parenting program allows you to take a parenting class in the comfort of your own home!

If you live in Lane County, you can get Triple P Online for free by filling out the form on the Triple P page. A staff person from Parenting Now will send you an access code within 24 hours and you’ll be able to start using the program right away! For more information about the program and to sign up visit the Triple P page.