First Harvest – Oregon
Rotary First Harvest (RFH), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2004, addresses the issues of hunger in Rotary District 5110 through a network of Rotary Clubs and partners by providing fresh produce to those in need using systems already in place and through local projects.
Our mission is:
- To feed the hungry with surplus, nutritious produce and meats;
- To use existing food distribution and transportation systems;
- To develop partnerships for collection of food;
- And to maintain minimal operating overhead.
Map of District 5110
History
Sharon Parks proposed her Klamath County Rotary Club address the opposing problems of waste and hunger after seeing bananas being thrown away at a local grocery store in 2002. The club’s Centennial Project eventually led to a variety of food programs including the first volunteer RFH Production Garden at OSU Research and Extension and the pilot for the RFH Meat Program. Leading the way, Sharon and the Klamath County Rotary Club have shared their vision and process of partnering with others to work together to alleviate hunger
