The Pantry Partners Food Pantry Program trains volunteers (who will also train other volunteers) to teach self-sufficiency and self-reliance through cooking demonstrations using an electric skillet in emergency food pantries, and using foods found in a typical emergency food box.   

If you are interested in helping limited-resource individuals and families in Marion County, we invite you to become a Pantry Partners Food Pantry volunteer. The program volunteers provide monthly food demonstrations at food pantries throughout Marion and Polk counties. Volunteers are also needed to help prepare and pack the boxes for the pantries and for training other volunteers. No experience is needed.

Pantry Partners volunteers Tonja and Jan H demonstrate how to prepare Skillet Granola

A 6-hour training course is provided for prospective and experienced Pantry Partners volunteers. Volunteers complete training to obtain a valid Oregon Food Handler card prior to attending training (www.ora.org), and complete an additional training on civil rights. The initial training is followed by partnering with knowledgeable Pantry Partners volunteers for pantry demonstration experience. Pantry Partners trainings are generally offered 2-3 times per year, updating and refreshing volunteers on numerous food and nutrition related subjects. Monthly volunteer meetings provide additional opportunities to stay up-to-date, choose recipes to demonstrate for the upcoming quarter, connect with other volunteers, and share our experiences. 

For more information or to sign-up for upcoming Pantry Partners Volunteer Training, contact Kat Daniel at Marion-Polk Food Share at 503-581-3855.