City Plans to Relocate North Plains Food Bank's Loading Zone

Food bank says new location would endanger volunteers

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:05am

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The city of North Plains, Oregon is planning to move the loading zone for the local food bank to Commercial Street, but the food bank is pushing back, arguing that the new location would put their volunteers at risk.

Why it matters

The North Plains Food Bank is a critical resource for the community, providing food assistance to those in need. Relocating the loading zone could disrupt the food bank's operations and make it more difficult for volunteers to safely load and unload supplies.

The details

The city wants to move the food bank's loading zone from its current location to Commercial Street, citing the need to optimize traffic flow in the area. However, the food bank says the new location would force volunteers to load and unload supplies in a high-traffic area, potentially putting them in danger.

  • The city announced plans to relocate the loading zone on March 1, 2026.
  • The food bank has until April 1, 2026 to submit a formal objection to the city's proposal.

The players

North Plains Food Bank

A non-profit organization that provides food assistance to residents of North Plains, Oregon.

City of North Plains

The local government of North Plains, Oregon, which is responsible for managing the city's infrastructure and public spaces.

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What they’re saying

“We cannot in good conscience allow our volunteers to load and unload supplies in such a dangerous location. The safety of our team is our top priority.”

— Sarah Johnson, Executive Director, North Plains Food Bank

What’s next

The food bank has until April 1, 2026 to submit a formal objection to the city's proposal. If the city does not reconsider the relocation, the food bank may need to explore legal options to prevent the change.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the importance of considering the needs and safety of community organizations when making infrastructure decisions. The city's plan to relocate the food bank's loading zone could disrupt a vital service, underscoring the need for open communication and collaborative problem-solving between local government and non-profit groups.