November 28th, 2025

A Thanksgiving message

Ben Watts

​​ Nov 27, 2025
  Today we celebrate family, community, and the joy of gathering around the table in the spirit of gratitude. As we come together with friends and loved ones, let’s remember the origins of this holiday.
  In the spring of 1621, the starving and beleaguered English immigrants known as the Pilgrims were establishing the settlement of Plymouth, when they were surprised to be contacted in English by a Native American man named Tisquantum, also known as Squanto. He had been kidnapped by an English captain and sold into slavery in London, where he spent several years and learned the language before escaping and returning home. Despite the harm he had suffered at the hands of the English, Tisquantum chose to help these strangers in need. He taught the Pilgrims how to fish, cultivate corn, and build an alliance with the Wampanoag tribe.
  That November, after a successful corn harvest, the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims gathered to give thanks for cooperation across cultures, and the bounty of food after a year of hunger. That spirit of sharing food and welcoming neighbors, no matter where they come from, has carried forward through generations.
  As we celebrate today by opening our tables and extending kindness, let’s honor the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Let’s aspire to the example set by Tisquantum and the Wampanoag people, kindness toward immigrants and helping neighbors in need.
  And to the many people reading this who are already striving to provide for their neighbors, choosing to help strangers in need:  Thank You. 
From our family to yours, may your Thanksgiving be filled with warmth, inclusion, and the joy of community.
  With gratitude,
  Ben Watts
  Chair, Linn County Democrats

  P.S. If you would like to help people in our community who are struggling with food insecurity, or you yourself are struggling, see the list below of food pantries and meal sites in Linn County.

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Food pantries and meal sites in Linn Co.

YOUTH
 1. #TheTeaInLBL Youth Advisory Council (on behalf of Youth Era) is joining other community partners in providing Food Boxes youth 14-25 years old in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties. These boxes are completely free of cost, and contain pre-packaged, non-perishable food items coordinated and assembled by young people, for young people (consists of a variety of snacks and easy-to-prepare food items). If you are a community partner serving young people, a parent looking for food assistance for their youth, or if you are a youth yourself, you are in the right place. Please complete a brief form to be added to the delivery queue by clicking here.
ALBANY
  1.   FISH of Albany
          Address: 1035 2nd Ave, S.E. Albany
         Phone: (541) 928-4460
         Hours: Call or come in between 9:00 AM. and 2:50 p.m. weekdays to order a food box. Food boxes can be picked up starting at 3:00 PM. the same day.
   2.   CHANCE
         Address: 231 Lyon St SE, Albany
         Phone: (541) 791-3411
         Meals: Mon–Fri, 9:00–9:30 AM and 12:00–12:30 PM
    3.  Second CHANCE Shelter
          Address: 1100 Jackson St SE, Albany
          Phone: (541) 928-6347
          Meals: Daily; call for times 
    4.  First Christian Church
     Address: 432 Ferry St SW, Albany 
    Phone: (541) 926-8606
    Meals: Community Meal; Thursdays 5:00-6:00 PM
    5.  Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
         Address: 1910 34th St. S.E.
         Phone: 541-926-4875
         Meals: Drive-through Community Dinner; Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 PM. Dinners must be reserved by calling the church by noon Tuesday.
     6. Strong Albany Schools × Albany Student Advocacy Project
         What it is: Launched Emergency Food Pantries in our Title 1 elementary schools in GAPS
         How to help:
     • Donate via Amazon
     • Donate Walmart Sparks
     • Make a financial contribution: https://bit.ly/47qkEkx
BROWNSVILLE
    1. Sharing Hands
         Address:107 W. Bishop Way
         Phone: 541-541-466-3003
         Hours: Wed and Fri, 10:30 AM–3:00 PM
HARRISBURG
    1. God’s Storehouse
         Address: 180 Smith St., Harrisburg
         Phone: 541-359-5529
         Hours: Tue, Thu, 9:30 AM–Noon and 1:00-4:30 PM
LEBANON
Donation drop-off sites
    1. Lebanon Fire Department
        Address: 1050 Oak St.
        Phone: 541-451-1901
        Hours: Mon—Thu, 7 AM—5 PM
   2. Summit Ace Home & Garde
        Address:1055 Tangent St.
        Phone: 541-258-7107
        Hours: Mon—Fri, 7:30 AM—6 PM, Sat, 8 AM—5 PM
   3  Gillott Home Team KW
        Address: 266 E. Grant St.
        Phone: 541-451-2211
        Hours: Sat, 10 AM—2 p.m.
​ 4  Valley Life Church Office
        Address: 80 E. Vine St.
        Phone: 541-258-5315
        Hours: Mon—Thu, 8 AM—4 p.m.

5  The River Center
        Address: 3000 S. Santiam Highway
        Phone: 541-451-1271
 Food Pickup and Meal Site Locations

1. FISH of Lebanon
   Address: First Presbyterian Church, 145 W Ash St, Lebanon
   Phone: (541) 259-3200
   Hours: Tue & Fri (call 9:00 AM–11:00 PM for pickup)
   Website: fishoflebanon.org​​

     2. Lebanon Soup Kitchen 
​         Address: Lebanon First Christian Church, 170 E. Grant. St.
         Phone: 451-7667
         Meals: Mon, Wed, Fri 4:30–5:30 PM   
     3. The Lord’s Storehouse
        Address: Lebanon Assembly of God, 726 SW Oak St, Lebanon
        Phone: (541) 259-1464
       Hours: Mon & Thu, 10:00 AM–1:30 PM for food pickup
       Notes: Linn County families welcome
        Phone: 541-451-1271
        Hours: Sun, 9 AM—1 PM
   4. The River Center
        Address: 300 S. Santiam Highway
        Phone: 541-451-1271
        Hours Mon, 2:30—5:30 PM for food pickup
    5. St. Vincent de Paul
        Address: St. Edward Catholic Church, 100 S. Main St.
        Hours: Wed, 11:30 AM—3 PM for food pickup
        Phone: 541-258-5333
    6. The Compassion Pantry (Neighborhood Pantry)
       Location: On the property of St. Martins Church, 257 Milton (side yard on Grove St)
       Hours: Open 7 days a week
       Notes: Please be respectful
MILL CITY
   1.   Santiam Outreach Community Center
         Address: 280 S.E. Santiam Blvd.
         Phone: 971-332-5676
         Hours: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, with a 24-hour food pantry onsite
SWEET HOME
   1.  Sweet Home Emergency Ministries (SHEM)
          Address: 1115 Long St, Sweet Home
          Phone: (541) 367-6504
          Hours: Wed & Sat, 9:00–11:30 AM (call first)
   2.    SHEM Soup Kitchen
          Location: Operated by Sweet Home Emergency   Ministries.
          How to help: Donations welcome to support neighbors in need
          Phone: (541) 367-6504
​OTHER RESOURCES

• Mid-Valley Gleaners - call for info on food distribution: 541-979-8575
• Linn Benton Food Share
  • What it is: Distributes food through local pantries and meal sites.
    Learn more / find resources / get involved: https://communityservices.us/linn-benton-food-share

      •  Family Tree Relief Nursery
          Address: 1305 Hill St SE, Albany, OR 97322
          Phone: (541) 967-6580
          Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (office)
          What it is: Nonprofit supporting families with young children; and help connecting to basics (diapers, food, clothing, referrals).

• Sign up to make meals or request meals from Lasagna Love