PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The Sunshine Division has a long history of providing meals to people in Portland and across our region.
But lately they are seeing a massive need for help, with record demand the past four years, according to Executive Director Kyle Camberg.
"We're seeing a lot of working families, families with kids - which is our number one demographic - that are really just struggling, particularly towards the end of months," he said. "We see tremendous spikes towards the end of the month, every month."
Camberg noted these problems are not entirely unique to the Portland area.
"I read a number of articles and stories and talk to other executive directors like myself. This is a national thing," he added. "Until we all get a little relief on inflation and gas prices and rent and interest rates and things of that nature, it just makes it really tough for people."
As for what folks can do to help out, Camberg suggests either volunteering or donating no matter the time of year.
"Those financial gifts this time of year are so critical, because everyone thinks about hunger in November and December," he emphasized. "But your gift right now is going to allow us to continue this work in the first quarter of 2025. Hunger is not seasonal."
To offer some relief, this is the 102nd year of the organization delivering holiday meals to Portland families in need. Hundreds of volunteers and Portland Police Bureau officers will load up their vehicles with special holiday food boxes to help out on Dec. 21.
You can sign up to volunteer for this year's holiday food deliveries here.
Another way to help is by visiting the Winter Wonderland at the Portland International Raceway.
Your ticket purchase goes straight to the Sunshine Division to keep thousands of families fed all year around.
