Hours of Operation

Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.*

*Please note: SHEM is closed on the second Saturday of each month

Please arrive early enough for volunteers to complete your request before closing. Food box applications cannot be accepted after 11:30 a.m., and financial assistance applications cannot be accepted after 11:15 a.m.

*Please also note that SHEM follows the emergency closing plan of the Sweet Home School District during inclement weather events. If the schools are closed, SHEM is closed

SHEM is open to clients seeking an emergency food box. Clients may enter and register for an emergency food box and visit Carmen's Closet. Applications for an emergency food box and financial assistance are accepted between 9:00 am and 11:30 am. A friendly staff member will greet all clients, offering services and help in completing application forms.

SHEM also invites clients to phone in during open hours to request a food box at 541-367-6504

*Please note, that for volunteers to complete services for clients before closing time at 11:30, we cannot accept applications for Financial Assistance after 11:15 or food boxes after 11:30.  Thank you for understanding.

 

 

Linn Benton Food Share Shipments

Each Friday, at 9:30 am, SHEM receives a food delivery from the Linn Benton Food Share (LBFS). We need many strong volunteers to help with stocking shelves, breaking down the boxes and storing the food items safely. Come and lend a hand! 

 

Fresh Alliance Shipments

SHEM receives donated products, such as produce, deli, meat and dry goods from the Sweet Home Safeway each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 10:00. Volunteers transport the products to SHEM, where they are weighed, recorded and then used to augment client boxes.

 

Relief Fresh Alliance Team Members are needed to provide back up for regular teams needing coverage for pick up day at Safeway. Contact SHEM for details if you would like to serve in this way. Time commitments are approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.

Carmen’s Closet

Carmen’s Closet provides free clothing, shoes, household items, and hygiene supplies, primarily through community donations.

Depending on availability, SHEM may also help provide household necessities for:

  • Families relocating to Sweet Home from another community

  • Families recovering from a house fire needing household items

  • Individuals and families experiencing an emergency

Items may include clothing, blankets, furniture, household goods, and personal-care items.

Resources are limited and distributed according to current program guidelines. Please follow posted health and safety guidelines when visiting Carmen’s Closet.

Hygiene supplies are available through community partners, including Compassion in Action of Linn County.

A limited supply of baby items and diapers may also be available for families with infants. Baby food and formula are not available.

 

Back-to-School Program

SHEM works with community partners to provide backpacks and school supplies to local school-aged children.

SHEM partners each year with the Sweet Home Community Health Fair event distributing hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies for elementary, junior high school and high school students in the Sweet Home School District. The program is supported by the Salvation Army Bell Ringing Project, Carmen’s Closet, and generous community donors.

 

Christmas Box Program

SHEM partners with local churches, schools, civic groups, and community organizations to provide families with a special holiday food box.

Applications are typically available on the website or in person at SHEM at the beginning in October and are accepted through the deadline listed on the application.

Families participating in the program may be contacted by one of our participating community organizations for distribution. While it is anticipated that all properly submitted applications will be receiving a Christmas Box, tendering an application form does not guarantee that a Christmas Food Box will be provided by SHEM or other participating community organizations. Unfortunately, sometimes the demand outpaces the available resource providers.

Please note also: You must provide two working telephone numbers  

Special Needs Food Assistance

SHEM offers limited food options for guests with specific dietary needs, including:

  • Diabetic-friendly options

  • Vegetarian items

  • Limited gluten-free products

  • Ready-to-eat, shelf-stable foods for people without a place to cook or store food

Financial Assistance

SHEM has a limited amount of financial assistance available for eligible clients. Assistance may include:

Utilities

Help may be available for essential utilities, including:

  • Water

  • Electricity

  • Natural Gas

Housing

Limited assistance may be available for households facing eviction. Housing assistance is intended as one-time emergency help.

Prescription Assistance

Limited assistance may be available for qualifying prescriptions. Antibiotics may be considered; pain medications and mood-altering medications are not covered.

Transportation

Gasoline vouchers may be available for verified medical appointments outside the Sweet Home area. Bus Tickets are available to Albany or Lebanon for appointments.

Propane A $25 propane voucher may be available for use at Sweet Home RV Center every three months.

Propane vouchers are non-transferable and must be used by the person who requested the voucher.

 

Language Accessibility

SHEM welcomes guests who speak limited English.

We offer English and Spanish intake forms and can provide assistance when needed. A bilingual food inventory checklist helps guests identify the foods they would like included in their emergency food box. On most Saturdays (except for the second Saturday of the month, when SHEM is closed), a Spanish speaking volunteer staff member is typically available.

We also use picture cards to help guests identify pantry items when reading is difficult.

Whenever possible, SHEM works to provide culturally appropriate food choices that meet the needs and preferences of the people we serve.