Today we’d like to introduce you to Tosh Mcintosh.
Hi tosh, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Founded in 2011 as an independent 501(c)-3 nonprofit, our mission is to provide those in need of food a 4-7 day supply of groceries. Our goal is to help solve the estimated 15% of the population in Lincoln County, Or. facing hunger. Our success is defined as “No Hungry Bellies”!
The founders retired in 2023 when a fresh 8 member Board of Directors was nominated. The Newport Food Pantry went from serving 20 individual each week to now serving between 250-350 every week. In 2024 we served 9400 individuals, in 2025 we served 10,800 a 4-7 day supply of food. We are blessed with a team of 40-50 active volunteers that make it all work.
Our guests include seniors on fixed incomes, low income wage earners, single parents, folks looking for work and the homeless. 70% of our guests are a family of 3 or more individuals. Our only requirement to receive food, “bring a smile!”
Our team has networked with over 25 organizations in Lincoln County where we collected in 2025 over 70,000 pounds of food. We do not take any government funds, we are totally self funded. We purchase food every week for distribution as we gave out over 80,000 pounds of food. Whenever our Pantry has an excess of food, we get the supplies to other Pantries within Lincoln County.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
we are totally self funded, no reliance upon any federal or state government funds, so raising cash donations and increasing the supply of food donated each month is always a work in progress.
Our landlord increased our rent 183% in 2025. That was an issues too!!
We’ve been impressed with newport food pantry, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our guests are welcome weekly should they need food. No requirements except, “bring a smile.” The guests receive a checklist of available food items available. The check off all the food items they can use. We offer fresh produce, bread, meats along with 20-30 staples every week. The Pantry volunteers fill the order for the size of the family unit ( the record is 12 so far). The guests do not receive a prepackaged box. The guests elect exactly what they need and want- no waste.
What matters most to you?
Providing for the estimated 7000-8000 in Lincoln County Oregon facing hunger a place to get food each week without any restrictions or obligations can change someone’s life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://newportfoodpantry.org
- Instagram: newport food pantry
- Facebook: newport food pantry
