Letter: Food Security Program Updates for Social Distancing

March 27th 2020

Hello,

The food pantry is still here to serve you. This letter is to tell you about the changes beginning Monday March 30th.

Premade Boxes

We are getting food from Linn Benton Food Share/Oregon Food Bank in a different format.

Shelf stable items will come in a box assembled at the Food Bank. The boxes weigh about 27# and contain an assortment of shelf stable items.  There will be some frozen meat/fish and some fresh produce.

The goal is for each household to pick up a box once per month. If you find you are running out of food, come back to the HSRC and we will work to figure something out to help you get by.

We will ask that you take the whole box with you and that you do not open, sort, or leave items outside the building.

We will continue to work to respect cultural food practices. We will try to modify boxes to the best of our ability to accommodate dietary restrictions.  Please read food labels carefully yourself before using items.

Peanut butter will be available, but will not be in the food boxes. We may sometimes get additional items such as Masa or Flour as available from the Food Share.

New 2020 Income Eligibility Guidelines

The eligible income levels to get food from pantries in Oregon are going way up. Share this info with folks you know who might be in need of assistance. These new guidelines will be for all pantries supported by the Oregon Food Bank beginning March 30th.

Family Size Monthly Annual
1 $3,190 $38,280
2 $4,310 $51,720
3 $5,430 $65,160
4 $6,550 $78,600
5 $7,670 $92,040
6 $8,790 $105,480

*For each additional member, add $1,120 per month or $13,440 per year

Coming Soon: Healthy Beaver Bags

For OSU students and staff (those with a university ID) we will start offering a ‘Healthy Beaver Bag’ from the HSRC.  This is our way of continuing cooking education for the OSU community as we pivot to provide services in a way that maintains social distancing. Participants will need to be able to pick up a bag from the HSRC in Corvallis. HBBs will be offered for pick up on a different day than the food pantry hours. There will be corresponding online material. You can sign up using this form. Please look for more info soon on our Facebook page “Human Services Resource Center – Oregon State University.”

Follow Facebook for Program Updates

We will post program updates including the pantry schedule, food assistance programs, textbook lending library, and basic needs navigation to our Facebook page:

Human Services Resource Center – Oregon State University

Thank you for your flexibility. We will get through this together,

HSRC Team

Roast Whole Chicken Recipe

Roast Lemon Thyme Chicken

Cooked Roasted chicken with carrots

Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour 30minutes

Ingredients:
– 1 Whole Chicken (about 4 pounds)
– 1/2 cup butter or margarine
– 1 small lemon, or 1/2 large lemon
– 3 tablespoons thyme
– 2 teaspoons salt
– 1 teaspoon black pepper
– Any vegetables you would like to roast

Important Temperatures:
– Preheat Oven to 375°F
– Final Temperature of breast: 165°F
– Final Temperature of thigh: 180°F

Directions:

Step 1:
Carefully remove the chicken from its packaging and place it stomach side down into a ovenproof baking dish. If you want to roast vegetables with the chicken, a 9 inch x 13 inch pan works well. It can be difficult to remove the chicken from its packaging, but grabbing both of the legs in one hand and using the other to remove the bag does a good job of keeping the chicken together.

Remove chicken from its packaging by holding both legs in one hand and removing the bag with the other.
Chicken on its stomach in baking dish

Step 2:
Squeeze the juice from 1 small lemon, or 1/2 of a large lemon onto the chicken, making sure to get some on all exposed skin. Double check that there is nothing in the hole at the base of the chicken, then put the squeezed lemon into the hole. Be sure to wash your hands well after touching the raw chicken.

Soapy Hands

Step 3:
Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of dried Thyme onto the outside of the chicken, until it is well covered.

Raw chicken covered in thyme

Step 4:
Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of pepper onto the outside of the chicken, until it is well covered.

Raw chicken covered in thyme and pepper

Step 5:
Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of salt onto the outside of the chicken, until it is well covered.

Raw chicken covered in thyme, pepper, and salt

Step 6:
Carefully pour the remaining Thyme, Pepper, and Salt into the hole in the base of the chicken. Be sure to wash your hands well after touching the raw chicken.

Thyme being poured into the cavity in a raw chicken
The cavity of a chicken filled with lemon, thyme, pepper, and salt

Step 7:
Melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter or margarine in the microwave using 10 second bursts until it is fully liquid. Pour over the top of the chicken.

Butter being poured over a raw, seasoned chicken

Step 8:
Preheat the oven to 375°F, then put the chicken in the oven for 45 minutes.

Chicken sitting in an oven

Step 9:
Use tongs to flip the chicken onto its back. If you have vegetables that take longer to cook, such as potatoes, they should go into the pan now. Put the pan back in the oven for another 45 minutes. Faster cooking vegetables like carrots and onions should go in 15-25 minutes after you’ve flipped the chicken.

A person flipping a chicken over using tongs

Step 10:
Use a meat thermometer to take the temperature of the chicken in the thickest part of the breast and thigh. The breast should reach 165°F, and the thigh should reach 180°F. Put back in the oven if below those temperatures. Wait at least 5 minutes to serve once completely cooked. Enjoy!

Cooked chicken and carrots

Get to know our staff: Roshan Vang

Name: Roshan Vang 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

HSRC job title: Food Pantry Assistant 

Major: Undeclared but taking courses towards Computer Science 

Career Aspirations: I’m still exploring my options but my aspiration is to work as a software engineer within growing companies such as Nike, Google, etc…developing great technical skills and gaining new perspectives of problem solving. I want to make the world an easier place for other individuals through the access of technology in a simpler, more efficient way. Potentially developing a new app in the future!  

Why did you want to work at the HSRC? I wanted to work at the HSRC because I want to get more involved with Oregon State community, providing assistance and resources to others. Being a part of the amazing HSRC team allows me to make a difference for students and the Corvallis community who are seeking any necessary needs. 

What will you be working on this year? Throughout the year, I will be working on organizing the food pantries coming up with ideas, recommendations and improvements in maintaining safety. I aim to make it a welcoming environment with all resources given to the community. I will also be working on SNAP helping others to register. 

What do you like to do in your free time? I love being outdoors, going to the beach, playing volleyball & basketball. Currently, I’m learning how to play the ukulele!

What’s your favorite yummy and cheap meal? A good ol grilled cheese sandwich made with sourdough bread and a side of warm tomato soup, it’s my favv and it’s so easy to make! 

Do you have any tips for students on saving money? My tip for saving money is just simply asking yourself if it’s a need or a want. Keep a budget for everything and know your limit. 

What is your favorite thing to do in Corvallis? Trying new places to eat, going to the parks and taking pictures with friends. 

What is your favorite spot to relax on campus? The Student Experience Center is a nice spacious space where I like to get most of my studying done and where I like to hang out with friends and let loose. 

Getting food when you can’t: How to use the pantry “Authorized Representative Form”

If you are ill or you need to stay home to stay healthy, food is still available to you.

You can have someone you know pick up a food box from the food pantry for you. You will need to fill out a form saying you meet normal income eligibility guidelines. Download and print this Authorized Representative Form. The person picking up food will turn it in at the pantry and be given your food. The pantry can keep this form so that you don’t need to print a new one each time you send that same person to pick up food for you.

This is the common form for Oregon Food Bank pantries and should work at the pantry you normally visit, not just at the OSU Food Pantry.

Note: An updated version of the form will be uploaded to the link above March 30th so check back if you need it after that. At that time if you have the older version on file, it is ok and you will still be able to receive food. You will be asked though to submit the new form for the next visit.

Now that you have SNAP, download the app!

Hey SNAPpers! If you were able to obtain SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits download the Fresh EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) app! All you have to do is create an account with your EBT card information. 

The Fresh EBT app displays your balance in real time. 

You can also access your transaction history. 

The live, interactive map shows you all the grocery stores in range that accepts SNAP benefits.

Coupons are available to be added directly to your EBT card from retailers such as Safeway, WinCo, Dollar General, etc. 

Looking for inspiration on what to cook? Preview or print hundreds of recipes directly through the app. 

The “Earn” tab is a fantastic tool that job searches for you and gives you tips on how to obtain stable employment. 

Check out the app today and stay tuned for more fun SNAP tips & tricks!