October 16, 2020 10:00 a.m.

The UCAN Food Bank has changed its name and is now known as Feeding Umpqua.

Director Sarah McGregor said the new identity reflects the organizations deeper work on community issues and on addressing the root causes of hunger.

McGregor said there has been a growth in programs and services offered over the past several years. In addition to providing food to nearly 50 partner agencies every day, services have expanded to running a mobile food pantry, the Outpost Mobile Food Center, providing cooking and nutrition education courses and demonstrations, and most recently, beginning to engage and mentor families applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

McGregor said the organization is an active participant in the Blue Zones Food Policy Committee, and regularly does advocacy work with state legislators on issues related to the root causes of hunger. She said those are homelessness, poverty and systemic barriers to access.

The new name and logo were launched on Friday because it is World Food Day. She said typically this week, they would have hosted their annual Empty Bowls Dinner, but with the pandemic, it was canceled for public safety. McGregor said the colors of the new logo reflect the robust colors of the agricultural industry in Douglas County and the inclusion of the root vegetable reflects their work addressing the root causes of hunger. She said the new name reflects their mission to Fight Hunger, Feed Hope

The release said over the new few weeks, community members will see the new brand on the organization’s trucks, on building signage, on social media and in their marketing and promotional materials.

UCAN Executive Director Shaun Pritchard said, “Although this roll out will take many months to be fully implemented, we are excited about this change”. He said what won’t change is that “…UCAN’s Feeding Umpqua program will continue to work to end hunger in Douglas County.