PORTLAND, Oregon — President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and enforcement actions have sparked protests nationwide — and in some cases, left families living in fear. That fear, advocates say, is changing daily routines, including something as essential as getting food.

Oregon’s largest food bank reports a 25% drop in families seeking help in the first six months of 2025.

At Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Northeast Emergency Food Program in Portland, staff are taking a proactive approach. If people don’t feel safe coming to the food pantry, they’re making sure food reaches them instead.

“We look at everyone as a human being who needs food,” said program manager Jon Makler, who oversees the state’s busiest pantry on Northeast 72nd Avenue. “Last week we served 1,000 unique famili

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