The FISH of Roseburg Launches Monthly Pop-Up Pantry in Canyonville

CANYONVILLE, Ore. - The FISH of Roseburg is expanding its reach into Canyonville with a new monthly pop-up pantry, funded with support from the Cow Creek Tribal Foundation and 3Rivers Foundation.

The first pop-up pantry will be held Thursday, Aug. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. in front of the Canyonville City Offices, 250 N. Main St. After that, the pantry will return on the third Thursday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m.

Jenn Reida, executive director of The FISH of Roseburg, said the idea grew out of a simple problem: getting food to families who may not have an easy way to reach a pantry.

"We know transportation can be a huge barrier when a family is already struggling," Reida said. "Sometimes the answer is as simple as bringing the food closer to the people who need it. We are incredibly grateful to Cow Creek Tribal Foundation and 3Rivers Foundation for believing in this project and helping us make it happen."

The funding from both foundations is allowing FISH to start building relationships with Canyonville residents, volunteers and community partners while it works out what long-term food assistance in the area could look like.

Reida said the organization sees the monthly pop-ups as a starting point rather than an end goal, with hopes that Canyonville could eventually support a permanent food pantry of its own.

"We don't want to just show up with food," Reida said. "We want to show up, listen and learn what Canyonville needs. Our hope is that these pop-ups are the beginning of something that can grow into a pantry built by and for this community."

Reida credited the Cow Creek Tribal Foundation and 3Rivers Foundation for turning the idea into action.

"We are incredibly fortunate to live in a community where organizations like Cow Creek Tribal Foundation and 3Rivers Foundation are willing to invest in ideas that directly help our neighbors," Reida said. "Their support means groceries on tables, but it also means we get the opportunity to build something bigger for Canyonville."

FISH said it will be looking for volunteers, community partners and donations to help support the monthly pop-ups as the program grows.

The FISH of Roseburg has served Douglas County for more than 55 years, providing emergency food assistance to area residents.