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Our Mission Statement

Sharing Hands is dedicated to answering Linn County's needs by offering a helping hand.

Our Beginnings

Photo of earlier food bank building
First location of Sharing Hands Food Bank

Our roots in the Linn County community run deep.

 

Sharing Hands started out in the early 1980s as a place for parents to exchange clothing and glean crops from local fields. Growing with the need, we became a non-profit corporation in 1982.

 

The clothing exchange evolved into the Thrift Store, which now serves the general public. It recycles over 5,000 articles of clothing and general household items monthly and offers them for sale at affordable prices.

 

The gathering of local crops grew into the Food Bank, which today is a part of the Oregon Food Bank distribution network. We provide food to many Linn County families each month to help alleviate food insecurity.

Board of Directors

The overall operating policies and supervision of Sharing Hands are the responsibility of a board of directors, three of whom are elected annually for a three-year term. The board meets on the third Tuesday of each month to review financial, executive director's, and program reports as well as  act on any business brought before it.

 

If you are interested in serving on the Sharing Hands board, call 541-466-3003.

Executive Director

Debra S. Gruell

President

Bruce Brown

Vice President

Lynne Heller

Treasurer

Sharon Banks

Secretary

Carolyn Pearce

Emeritus Members

Pastor Kelly Williams        Wendy Parker        Merritt Schilling        Dayna Hanson        Don Ware        Kenneth Lorenson

Staff Members

Food Bank Manager

Tay Thornton

Sharing Hands, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.”

 

See our full Non-Discrimination Policy here.