EVACUEE MEALS

Tuesday, September 8th is the last community meal for IOU in its current model.

Since we started in April, you have provided over 10,500 meals to your neighbors, supported over 40 locally-owned restaurants, and created a community of over 700 individual donors. 

We are truly humbled by the support.

We also need to take a little break from community meals to address feedback from restaurants, diners, and donors. We love this feedback, it inspires us to improve. 

One of our primary goals for the program has always been equity. We know the program as it is now is not equitable. We hear you about the lines, delivery, translations, access to internet, and volunteering. We hear you about the need for the program. We know this is not sustainable as we move into the rainy season, and we respect the City of Corvallis placing a limit on the size of gatherings.

You can help us improve the program. Please help IOU understand our opportunities with these short surveys:

Diner Survey

Donor Survey

You can also email us any time with ideas! We’re taking a break from community meals, not from making the program the best it can be.

In the spirit of transparency, we’re also out of funds. We are not asking you to dig in and make another donation now; although if you feel inspired, we promise meals will be back. 

We are a group of professionals that understand the importance of diversified funding and branding. We have been working on grant applications and corporate sponsorship options. We are constantly reaching out to media outlets, creating partnerships, and building a tremendous reach on social media.

We’re doing our best to make IOU Corvallis sustainable. Here are ways you can help during this period:

Do you own a business that might be interested in sponsorship?

Do you know of grant funding we may not have thought of?

Do you write for a media outlet? 

Do you belong to a community organization, faith group, or neighborhood that would like to sponsor a meal?

Do you provide pro bono equity trainings or strategic planning services?

Until we’re back with improved community meals, we hope you continue to support your neighbors; and pay it forward when you can, however you can.

With enormous gratitude,

Aliza, Ashley, Elizabeth, Emily + The Sustainability Coalition Food Action Team