According to Oregon Food Bank website, statistics show that from 2004 - 2006, 11.4 percent of Oregon's population struggled with putting food on the table. As well, some major food banks here in Oregon, such as the Marion-Polk Food Share, saw bare shelves this year with reserve food supplies dwindling.

Right now Oregon is in an all out war against hunger. In an effort to help, the past six years the Great Holiday Food Drive has raised the equivalent of over 52,000 pounds of food for the Oregon Food Bank Network. The past two years alone the annual event has averaged 10,000 pounds of food raised for the hungry per year.

As always our goal here at the Great Holiday Food Drive is to beat prior years' numbers. With the business and community support received, we believe a goal of 50,000 pounds this year is achievable. Considering the state of hunger here in Oregon, it's got to be a requirement.

Beginning November 23, people can begin donating non-perishable foods at over 25 Portland Metro Locations. The food drive will run for three weeks and end on December 14th so as to get the donations to the local food banks prior to Christmas.

The donation drop sites are located at businesses around the metro area and range from grocery stores to title companies, medical offices to banks. The variety of businesses and various locations will make it easy for anyone throughout the Portland Metro area to make food or monetary donations and help fight the war against hunger.

Thanks go to the following Co-Sponsors of this year's event:

• Amazing Maids    
• Bales Marketplace    
• Chicago Title Insurance    
• Cuestore.net    
• Easy Street Online Services    
• Fidelity National Title    
• Free Spirit Skincare    
• Gresham Arthur Academy    
• Hi Hat Restaurant    
• Knowledge Learning Center    
• Mt Hood Women's Health    
• Oregon Community CU    
• Ship Shape Tanning    
• Sterling Savings Bank    
• The Little Gym in LO    
• TIS / Pixtreme