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OUR HISTORY

From a few dozen neighbors helping each other - to hundreds
working together weekly.

In 1978, the Oregon Legislature encouraged commercial growers to participate in gleaning programs by passing a state tax credit for contributions made. This law continues to this day.

 

That same year, a handful of Clackamas residents formed a group and began picking fields and distributing food along the highway system. In 1981, they became an official organization, what is now Gleaners of Clackamas County, Inc., and occupied a rented facility to manage the abundance of food and the growing number of Members. Then, in 1992 property was required, and a fund was established to build the current warehouse at the top of the hill in Oregon City.

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We remain an all-volunteer cooperative run by and serving limited income Members and our Adoptees. Though we continue to glean the fields, gleaning has evolved to include grocers, food manufacturers, and other distributors, partially used chemicals from transfer stations, and clothing from the public's surplus. 

"It was the 80's and my husband was on strike. He had time on his hands, and we needed food for our large family. My friend told me about gleaning so we became one of the original members. When work started back up my husband was able to keep hauling field pickings on his days off from driving long-distance to and from Alaska."

Mary Hamilton, Gleaner since 1986

"I was praying God would give my husband direction in retirement. One day the president of Gleaners came into my restaurant and as I served him coffee he told me about the organization. We joined and have kept going all these years because our 7 long-time adoptees are counting on us."

Kathy Stanton, Gleaner since 1992
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