By Alex Paul
Linn County Communications
Food programs sponsored by the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments are experiencing increased use, Executive Director Ryan Vogt told Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist and Will Tucker Tuesday morning, July 8.
Commissioner Sherrie Sprenger was not present.
Vogt introduced new agency director Paul Egbert. Vogt said Egbert is taking on more internal management duties and Vogt will work more with member governments and outreach efforts.
Vogt presented the commissioners with the organization’s annual report, which shows that in Linn County, Linn Benton Food Share provided food boxes between the months of January and April to 4,337 households (12,811 individuals) in 2022 and 7,767 households (31,291 individuals) in 2025.
The report also noted that food distribution increased 37% from February to May 2025, increasing from 99,743 pounds to 136,642 pounds.
The Meals on Wheels program served 163,800 meals and made 156,690 home deliveries. The program also provided 685 food boxes. There are four meal sites in the county that served 9,425 in-person dining meals.
The Meals on Wheels program is active in Albany, Brownsville, Lebanon, Halsey, Harrisburg, Mill City, Sweet Home, Sodaville and Tangent.
The Adult Protective Services staff received 1,943 calls, of which 457 resulted in investigations.
The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance Program helped 662 clients and the Foster Grandparent Program has 26 volunteers.
The Cascades West Ride Line provided 86,774 trips totaling 2.9 million miles.
The Council of Governments provided $700,000 for generators to support safe drinking water and public works programs.
In 2024, staff participated in 19 community events in Linn County.
Since March, the Utility Assistance program helped 467 households and 1,065 individuals.
From March to May, the housing assistance program helped 474 individuals (232 households) with rental assistance and in obtaining rental units.
COG is now leasing space in the Sweet Home City Hall to provide more accessible services to area residents.
Commissioner Nyquist said local food programs are vital and he encouraged utilizing the mid-valley’s large agricultural base — which includes many fresh food items — as part of the food distribution programs.
Vogt said Linn Benton Food Share partners with the area gleaning programs that work with local farmers.
In other business, the commissioners:
- Were told by Veterans Services Director Dee Baley-Hyder that her office has helped local veterans and their families recover $596,616.90 in benefits from April through June 2025, compared to $409,185.03 for the same quarter in 2024.
The total amount recovered over the past fiscal year is $2,472,079. Baley-Hyder added that the number of veterans and family members being served has increased to 9,840, including 387 new accounts filed since the department moved into its new office about a year ago. There are an estimated 10,076 veterans in Linn County. - Accepted an easement along Lulay Road for the Lulay Road Cross Culvert Replacement Project. Grantor is Gregory Shook and cost is $300. Approved the purchase of a Leeboy 8520 paver from Pape’ Machinery for $273,817.74.
- Approved a contract with the Oregon Department of Transportation not to exceed $531,774 in 5311 Funding for the 2025-2027 biennium. The funds will support the Senior Citizens of Sweet Home, Linn Shuttle and Dial-A-Bus programs. 5311 funds support rural transportation programs.
- Approved Resolution and Order 2025-241, making a correction to the amount shown on Resolution and Order 2025-200, budget adoption, correcting an error in the budget total from $279,995,597 to $279,718,287.