County Commits $200,000 to Boost Food Access

Lane County will allocate $200,000 from its emergency reserves to help expand access to food and provide assistance to families affected by recent immigration enforcement activity, county officials announced this week.

The funding will be distributed through local partners, including Food for Lane County, to help residents struggling to meet basic needs as federal food assistance programs remain inaccessible for some families.

“Recent incidents in our communities have created distress and uncertainty for people who live and work in Lane County,” the county said in a statement. “This funding will help ensure that families disrupted by these events can keep up with essentials like rent, utilities, and food.”

In addition to food access, a portion of the funds will support immigrant and refugee families through partnerships with community-based nonprofits that provide direct assistance.

County leaders said the decision aligns with Lane County’s broader mission to foster safety, health, and inclusion. “Lane County strives to be a place where all people belong,” the statement read. “Our strength comes from connection and from the ability to live without fear that the simple routines of daily life might be disrupted in ways that tear families apart.”