How Neighbors Helping Neighbors Serves Ridgefield Families Every Week

At Neighbors Helping Neighbors, our mission is simple:

Providing Weekly Food Boxes to Families in Need in Ridgefield

But behind that simple mission is a coordinated effort powered by volunteers, donors, and community partnerships.

Here’s a closer look at how it all works.

When We’re Open

We operate one day each week:

Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

During this time, families can come to our facility and receive a food box—no complicated barriers, just a welcoming place to get help.

What’s Inside a Food Box?

Each food box is thoughtfully prepared to provide a variety of essential items, including:

• Government commodities from the Clark County Food Bank 
• Fresh produce and dairy products 
• Bread and pantry staples 
• Donated items from local businesses like Rosauers and Costco 
• Community contributions through our Green Bag program 

Our goal is to provide not just food—but nourishment and care.

Who We Serve

A large portion of those we help each week includes:

• Seniors struggling with rising living costs 
• Families facing financial hardship 
• Individuals navigating unexpected life challenges 

We typically serve 45 to 60 families each week, and that number continues to grow.

What It Takes to Keep the Doors Open

Operating a food bank involves more than just collecting food.

Our annual operating costs range from:

$60,000 to $80,000 per year

These costs include:

• Electricity (approximately $700/month) 
• Insurance ($3,500–$4,000 annually) 
• Facility maintenance and repairs 
• Equipment upkeep 

We rely on:

• 7 freezers for frozen food storage 
• 2 commercial refrigerators for dairy and produce 

Keeping food safe and fresh is essential—and it comes with real costs.

 Understanding Donations: Food vs. Operations

Many generous donors give specifically toward food—and we are incredibly grateful.

However, donations marked for food can only be used to purchase food, which means:

They cannot be used to cover operational expenses like utilities, insurance, or building maintenance.

That’s why unrestricted donations are so critical.

Community Support Makes This Possible

We are deeply thankful for ongoing support from individuals and organizations, including:

• Local churches 
• Community members 
• Businesses 
• The Ridgefield Lions Club, who have helped cover insurance costs 

This support keeps our mission alive.

Special Programs: Giving Beyond the Basics

During the holidays, we go even further.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors provides:

• Christmas food boxes with ham or turkey (when available) 
• Gifts for children in the families we serve 
• Community gift-giving programs where donors “adopt” children 

It’s about more than food—it’s about dignity, joy, and hope.

How You Can Help Sustain This Work

To continue serving Ridgefield families, we need consistent support.

You can help by:

• Making a financial donation (especially unrestricted) 
• Becoming a monthly donor 
• Participating in community food drives 
• Sharing our mission with others 

 Final Thought

Neighbors Helping Neighbors is more than a food bank—it’s a lifeline for families in our community. 

With your support, we can continue to serve, support, and uplift those who need it most.