ABOUT US — The Giving Plate (2024)

Feeding the hungry today with compassion and hospitality.

Origin Story

The Giving Plate's story traces back to April 2010 when a local couple, Gary and Debra Kelso, took a step of faith, despite their own trying circ*mstances, with a heartfelt hope to assist 500 local families through food relief. They embarked on a journey that would far exceed their initial vision. Rooted in the belief that leading in love is the best way to live out their faith and that nobody should feel shame due to their need for nourishment, the Kelsos established a welcoming space that would grow to become one of the largest food pantries in the Central Oregon tri-counties of Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook. This journey of love, compassion, and unwavering dedication continues to shape The Giving Plate's legacy, creating a profound impact on countless lives.

To end hunger by reimagining what food relief looks like, creating a place where guests feel seen and cared for. A community that affirms every person’s inherent worth and dignity.
At The Giving Plate, our mission of "Feeding the hungry today with compassion and hospitality" is more than just a statement; it's a way of life that resonates with our deep-rooted values and guiding principles. Though food is the service we provide, we exist to offer more than just food.
Our "why" is grounded in the core belief that every person deserves dignity, regardless of their circ*mstances, and nobody should bear the weight of hunger alone. This unwavering commitment to removing the shame surrounding accessing food and standing with our struggling neighbors in compassion and love propels our mission forward.
As a faith-founded nonprofit, our roots lie in the simple expression of love for our neighbors (John 13:35 & Matt. 22:36-40). While we're not a religious organization and don't intertwine religious beliefs with our services, our origin story remains an integral part of our foundation, shaping our growth.
We welcome everyone equally and work to create a space where all are seen and belong. This approach allows us to build genuine connections with those who seek our assistance. By adhering to Oregon Food Bank guidelines and partnering with NeighborImpact (Oregon Food Bank’s regional distribution center), we efficiently distribute nourishing food to those in need, supported by our local community and private grants.
In living out our mission, we embrace the vision of ending hunger by reimagining food relief. We strive to foster a community that recognizes every person's inherent worth and dignity. Through our commitment to compassion, hospitality, and genuine care, we are not only fighting hunger; we nurture hope and cultivate a sense of belonging.
As an organization, we are committed to ensuring that The Giving Plate is a safe place for anybody in the community to come and visit. Whether we are serving someone as a guest who is accessing our services or welcoming them as a volunteer or donor, we want each person who engages with The Giving Plate to feel seen and valued for who they are and where they are in life. We have zero tolerance for offensive, hateful, discriminatory content and actions. As an example, our volunteers come from various backgrounds and beliefs. We ask that while serving at The Giving Plate, any conversations that would be divisive would remain outside the doors of The Giving Plate so that while serving, we can be united in what we have in common - the mission of feeding anybody in need with compassion and hospitality.

What sets us apart?

The Giving Plate provides over 1,200 families a month with a week's worth of groceries, equating to an average of 3,500 people. More than a food pantry that has distributed over 7 million pounds of food in Central Oregon since 2010, we offer a warm, welcoming, and judgement-free space for our neighbors in need.

TGP is a grass-roots pantry founded by a family from Central Oregon. We are passionate about our community and want to make a difference in the lives of those we live next door to.
TGP serves families living all throughout Central Oregon and offers weekend hours to our working community members.
TGP is the only food pantry in Oregon that has youth-specific food banks (Kid's Korner & Kid’s Korner Mobile Pantry). Between our four hunger-relief programs, children 18 and under make up over 60% of the individuals served.
TGP helps K-12 students in 33 Bend / La Pine schools with food for the weekend through Backpacks for Bend. This is the only program of its kind in the Bend / La Pine school district and ensures that no child has to experience a weekend of hunger.
TGP provides a welcoming Community Store environment so that each guest who visits feels valued and doesn't encounter the clinical stigma that is connected to many food pantry experiences.
Over 90% of the guests that visit TGP do not qualify as houseless. They have homes and jobs—yet they are living paycheck to paycheck, doing their best to make ends meet.