By Patty Rinehart
I want to discuss the different aspects of security in 2025, especially as they relate to our community in Tillamook County. Security means more than just feeling safe — it covers essential needs like food, housing, clothing, and bedding. Food security means ensuring that everyone has consistent access to healthy meals. Housing security refers to providing safe and stable shelter for all residents. Clothing security ensures that community members have adequate clothing for all seasons, while sheets and blanket security guarantees that nobody goes without the necessities to stay warm and comfortable. These types of security matter for people of all ages and backgrounds, and we shouldn’t be without them in our county.
Many individuals in Tillamook County work every day to address these challenges. I want to focus on security within the Neah-Kah-Nie School District, which stretches from Falcon Cove to Garibaldi.
It’s inspiring to see so many people stepping up to help their neighbors in these areas. Community members supporting one another is truly the heart of our strength. If you want to make a difference, consider supporting the organizations already making an impact.
Starting in North Tillamook County, we have Nehalem Bay Community Services. Visit their website: Home | Nehalem Bay Community Services – food pantry They provide multiple services to the community. Their food pantry is open Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm, and on Wednesday from 1 pm to 5 pm. They need both people and pet food, clothing, linens, towels, and sheets. Canned meats such as Spam, tuna, and chicken, peanut butter, bread, butter, sugar are some of the things they need at this time. Go together with your neighbors and get a case or two of these items for them. Use your imagination about what you would like if you didn’t have any food. Checks can be sent to NBCS, PO Box 156, Nehalem, Oregon 97131. Go visit them and see how they operate. You will appreciate all their volunteers and what they do. Senior lunches are both served and delivered on Tuesday and Thursday. Email contact is aquietplace@nehalemtel.net.
The North County Food Bank is still in Wheeler occupying what is called the “old clinic building”. They are open on Tuesdays. You can go to their website, North County Food Bank Tillamook Oregon to see what they do and what their needs are. Their needs for food are what you and I need for food. They are feeding all age groups of people, and these people rely on this food each day of their lives. Food security is very important to get through the day. We must take care of one another. The Clothing Bank is temporarily closed until they can make other arrangements where to store them. Donations of food and money are especially important at this time. Cash or checks can be sent to NCFB, PO Box 162, Wheeler, Oregon 97147.
The Rockaway Beach Lions provide food baskets or families and Seniors at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their contact information is Rockaway Beach Lions, PO Box 611, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136.
Also, in Rockaway Beach you can find Meals for Seniors, Inc. They have been around for over 20 years. Their mission “to enable the senior citizens of North Tillamook County to continue living independently in their own homes by providing access to nutritious meals and social occasions.” They both serve and deliver meals from the dining hall at St. Mary by the Sea Church, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They are currently serving over 12,000 meals per year. To help write or call, Meals for Seniors, PO Box 852, Rockaway Beach, Oregon 97136. Phone, 503-317-8967.
All the above organizations are designated non-profit and have a 501 (c)(3) tax ID number.
The Neah-Kah-Nie School District has Family Resource Centers which provides for Nehalem and Garibaldi Grade Schools and the Middle and Senior High School in Rockaway Beach. Included in their services is a backpack program which sends food home with students on the weekends. It also works on providing food to students during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Find out what they do for our students by visiting their web site: Family Resource Center – Neah-Kah-Nie School District.
By supporting these organizations, you are helping strengthen security for everyone in our community. We cannot leave people behind by taking away choices-by taking away their security.
More Countywide Efforts – Garibaldi Fire Food Collection & South County Popup Food Pantry
To help the county and food banks prepare for the influx of needed food for our community we have decided to run a food drive to be distributed to the local food banks.
Please bring your non perishable food items to the Garibaldi Fire Dept starting Halloween for drop off during normal business hrs.
We hope to help offset the food insecurity many local families are about to experience due to the loss of SNAP benefits starting on the 1st and to help with Thanksgiving meals the best we can through this drive.
Please email me if you have any questions or would like to help in other ways. We appreciate our wonderful community and want to help people get through this tuff time with less stress if possible.
Thank you.
South county shed pantry
Located at 13625 Mill rd cloverdale. If you’d like to donate to stock it for families please do so. I’ll put a tote in there for donations and put away as they come in, only items that won’t be in the shed but can be requested is bread, noodles in packaging, frozen items and fridge items donated. But if eggs or frozen, fridge items are needed you can private message me and ill set some out for your family. If your disabled please private message me and ill make sure you get food delivered if needed, I can also pick up donations as needed…email to skyanna85@gmail.com to donate and for more information. Again this is a temporary pantry to help our south county families weather the snap storm, when pantries aren’t available or you don’t have transportation. Together we help families weather this storm and work torward a sustainable, accessible food supply for everyone!