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To contact me, please click here: Rep.LisaFragala@oregonlegislature.gov
Dear Friend,
These times are both complicated and stressful and my office wants to be here to support our community. Many Oregonians are concerned about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and are asking how the ongoing federal government shutdown could affect their food benefits. SNAP is funded entirely by the federal government and the loss of these benefits would be significant. SNAP provides critical nutrition support to approximately one in six Oregonians, including more than 214,000 children.
Despite the federal government’s claims of insufficient funds, the agency does have access to billions of dollars of SNAP specific emergency funds. The federal government has chosen to fund other programs with emergency funds during the shutdown, but has refused to fund SNAP potentially leaving millions of Americans without the food assistance they need.  This is something that has never happened before and it is an inhumane choice to not fund crucial programs for food assistance.
Fortunately this Wednesday, Governor Tina Kotek announced a coordinated state response that includes three actions: declaring a 60-day food security emergency, immediately directing $5 million to Oregon’s statewide food bank network, and calling on all Oregonians to support their neighbors in need. Governor Kotek’s emergency declaration activates state resources to ensure emergency food can reach vulnerable families while the federal government fails to release taxpayer dollars dedicated for food assistance during a shutdown.
I hope the following information will be helpful. Please consider sharing this info with those who may need it, and if you are able, support one of the programs providing food assistance and resources in our community.
Updates and Information on SNAP Benefits:
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Governor’s Office are monitoring challenges with SNAP benefits closely and will continue to share updates about federal actions and about Oregon’s emergency state response. To avoid confusion, it is also important to understand that two things are happening simultaneously with SNAP benefits: permanent cuts that are part of HR-1, the federal budget bill passed in July, and the potential loss of funding due to the federal government’s shutdown. ODHS’ website has specific information to help guide community members through these differences and to help find resources.
Here’s how to stay informed:
For SNAP participants:
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Check your EBT card balance regularly.
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Continue following SNAP rules and reporting requirements as required.
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Sign-up for a ONE Online account and download the Oregon ONE Mobile app at benefits.oregon.gov to get messages about your SNAP case. This App also provides an additional layer of card security.
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Know where to find emergency food resources in your community:
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Older adults and people with disabilities: Connect with the Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC) for help finding government and community resources. Call 1- 855-673-2372 or visit www.adrcoforegon.org.
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Finding and Supporting Local Food Resources
Finding Resources:
If you and your family are impacted by the delay in SNAP benefits or need access to food there are resources in our community that can help.
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Food for Lane County: Food for Lane County has a network of social service agencies and programs. You can use their website to find a meal site near you. You can also access their free food finder on their website.
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CARES: This is a local food network connecting people to pantries, providing emergency food boxes, and weekly deliveries.
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211: Dialing 2-1-1 can connect you to local resources. Alternatively, you can text your zip code to 898-211 or visit 211info.org for assistance.
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Oregon Food Bank: You can search the Oregon Food Bank website for food resources across the state.
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Waste To Taste: Open Monday thru Friday by appointment only this free pantry operates like a grocery store where shoppers navigate food resources by aisles and select items.
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Burrito Brigade: This local organization delivers meals on Saturday and Sunday, two of the most food-insecure days. You can use their website to find out more information.
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LCOG Senior & Disability Services: Older adults and adults with disabilities should contact the Senior Meals nutrition wellness program. They operate nine Café 60 dining rooms and deliver Meals on Wheels throughout Lane County.
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86 Hunger: The 86 Hunger Food Aid Map is an online tool that helps connect people with nearby food resources in Lane County.
A Call to Action: Help your Neighbors:
Even with the governor’s actions, this will continue to be a difficult time for our community in many ways. The organizations that provide supplemental food services will continue to need our support to meet a growing demand for food assistance. Your donations make a difference and there are a variety of ways you can help: donate food, organize a food drive, volunteer, or give a charitable donation. Every contribution helps reduce hunger and builds a stronger, healthier community.
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Food for Lane County: For ways to give to one of our primary food assistance programs in Lane County please use this link. Food For Lane County supports many other food assistance programs and pantries in our community. You can find opportunities to volunteer, donate food or make a charitable contribution.
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Burrito Brigade: Located near downtown Eugene, Burrito Brigade is a non-profit organization with a mission to feed the hungry in Oregon through three main projects: The Weekend Burrito Brigade, the Little Free Pantries, and Waste to Taste. On their website you can find ways to volunteer, donate financially or provide in-kind donations.
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Senior Meals: The Senior Meals Program helps people aged 60 and older maintain their independence by providing food and friendship. They operate eleven Café 60 dining rooms around Lane County and Meals on Wheels (MOW). Find information about how to support their efforts on Lane Council of Governments website
Just this week, myself and several other locally elected leaders volunteered at Food for Lane County. We sorted over seven pallets of frozen bread donated by Franz Bakery that are now ready for delivery to local food banks and assistance programs. I’ve also stepped up and made a charitable contribution to our local food banks. If you are able, please join me in participating in Governor Kotek’s call to action to help neighbors from going hungry and to help our communities weather this crisis.
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October Town Halls
Staying grounded in community, being accessible, and connecting with constituents is a top priority for me. Earlier this month, I hosted a town hall meeting at the Campbell Center; the priority was hearing what is on the minds of people in our community. Some of the topics we explored included:
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Loss of Pacific Source as a CCO in Lane County and the concerns community members have about Trillium as the alternative.
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Concerns about use of Flock cameras for surveillance by the city and the county.
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Challenges with engagement and attendance with high school students in Eugene.
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The need for the Arts and other engagement activities in K-12 schools and the impacts of standardized testing.
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Future opportunities to continue modernizing our state's transportation system.
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Ensuring that Oregon has a healthy economy, strong workforce, and competitive businesses.
This week, I joined the Spencer Creek Grange for their monthly meeting and potluck. Many people don't realize that part of House District 08 is rural and includes parts of the Crow Applegate Lorane Valley. It has been a goal of mine to get better connected to this part of my district and it was a lot of fun to meet folks at the Spencer Creek Grange, share food, and to hear what issues are important to them. Some of the things we discussed included:
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Cuts to SNAP benefits and the economic impacts on farmers markets and grocery stores.
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Agricultural water rights for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.
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Protecting natural resources such as clean drinking water, agricultural soils, and farmland.
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Challenges faced by small family farms for both economic viability and protecting farmland from fragmentation..
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The rising cost of home owners insurance and the affordability challenges this creates for families.
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Mitigation and prevention strategies for wildfires in Oregon
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Opportunities to develop a clean energy economy and work towards climate resiliency locally and statewide
Asian American Council of Oregon
Public Safety Forum
Last week, I attended a community forum hosted by the Asian American Council of Oregon to learn about the recent increase in crimes targeting the homes and businesses of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).
These crimes are not random. Local AAPI homes and businesses have been intentionally targeted in nearly two dozen sophisticated burglaries from a large, organized group operating across the state.
We heard from law enforcement and other experts about the disturbing tactics being used in these targeted crimes and about how we can help to prevent them. The panel reminded community members that often it comes down to neighbors helping and watching out for their fellow community members. Good old fashioned relationships and conversations can often lead to solving a case and hopefully preventing new ones. It is also clear that work needs to be done at the state level to close loopholes that prevent these crimes from being convicted as bias-crimes.
We can’t tolerate hate in Oregon. It's time we stand united to recognize and address the rise in bias incidents and hate crimes affecting Oregonians. The Oregon Bias Response Hotline is available to listen and provide options. If you have experienced or witnessed a hate crime or bias incident, contact Oregon’s confidential Bias Response Hotline at 1-844-924-BIAS (2427); make a report or chat with us online at StandAgainstHate.Oregon.gov.
It was amazing to see such a large turnout at this event. I want to thank Jenny Jonak and Jensina Hawkins for organizing a great forum to bring attention to the horrible rash of crimes targeting our local AAPI community. I stand in solidarity with our Asian American Pacific Islander community and against any type of bias or hate crime and hope others will stand with me as well.
Let’s Keep Showing Up Together!
The best way to stay updated during the interim is by following me on social media. This is where I'll announce special events first.
Click the icons here to be taken to my social media profiles!
  
As always it is great to be able to meet with so many wonderful community members and organizations who passionately advocate for what they believe in. Your emails also inform my work as a state representative and I appreciate everyone who showed up at my town halls ready to think together about the challenges that face our state. Engaging with my community is incredibly important to me and I look forward to continuing to serve my constituents in House District 8.
Sincerely,
Representative Lisa Fragala
House District 8
My Office Is Here For You
Email: Rep.LisaFragala@oregonlegislature.gov I Phone: (503) 986-1408
Address: 900 Court St NE, H-484, Salem, OR, 97301
Website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/fragala
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