According to reporting on the official campaign page from KGW, the 2026 KGW Great Food Drive is now underway, with an effort focused on reducing food insecurity across Oregon and Southwest Washington. The organizers state that this year’s goal is to help supply more than 1.2 million meals through regional food banks and partner organizations.
The Oregon Food Bank, which serves as a central hub for emergency food distribution in the Pacific Northwest, works closely with local pantries throughout Southwest Washington, including those operating in Longview, Kelso, and rural parts of Cowlitz County. According to public information from the Oregon Food Bank, demand for assistance typically increases during late winter and early spring as heating and utility costs strain household budgets. Campaign contributions collected in March and early April are distributed to local network partners based on need.
Local service providers say the support is timely. Food banks in Cowlitz County have reported elevated demand since the end of 2025, a trend also noted in statewide briefings from hunger‑relief organizations. Donations made through the regional campaign—whether food items, funds, or volunteer time—are allocated to participating food banks across the region, which includes Cowlitz County’s primary distribution hubs. Organizers emphasize that financial contributions allow partner agencies to purchase high‑need items at bulk rates, stretching resources further for families.
The drive’s timing intersects with broader food insecurity concerns in Washington. State agencies have reported that many counties along the I‑5 corridor continue to experience rising need, driven by a combination of housing costs, inflation, and seasonal employment fluctuations. Regional efforts like the KGW Great Food Drive play a role in stabilizing supplies for small communities that may not have the tax base or local fundraising capacity to sustain high volumes of emergency food distribution alone.
Campaign organizers have listed multiple donation avenues, including online contributions and designated drop‑off locations throughout the Portland‑Vancouver metro area. Funds collected through the campaign are shared with Oregon Food Bank’s Washington‑based partners, which maintain distribution routes into Cowlitz County and surrounding rural areas. According to official campaign materials, contributions made during the 2026 drive will continue to be collected through March, with disbursements occurring on a rolling basis as food banks request support.
Residents in Cowlitz County who rely on emergency food programs are expected to benefit from the drive’s regional reach. While the campaign is headquartered in Portland, its partnerships extend through Southwest Washington, making the annual effort one of the larger cross‑border food‑security initiatives affecting the local community.
Why this matters: Sustained access to nutritious food remains a central public‑health issue for Southwest Washington. Regional initiatives such as the KGW Great Food Drive help stabilize supplies for local programs that often operate with limited staff and budgets. For residents of Longview, Kelso, and surrounding towns, the campaign is one of the seasonal efforts that can ease pressure on food‑bank inventories during a high‑demand period.
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