Food for Lane County in Eugene is installing a generator Monday. The food bank will be the only one in the state with backup power in case of a large-scale disaster.
Food for Lane County stores about a half million pounds of food in its Eugene warehouse -- about half of it is perishable. The generator will prevent massive food loss and spoilage if there's a power outage.
Dawn Marie Woodward is with Food For Lane County:
Not only can we have the ability to take care of our own county, but we are the only food bank in the state right now that will have a back-up generator and because of our placement on I-5, we will be able to serve some statewide needs as well."
The $178 thousand dollar is paid for by donations and grants, including the Michael D. Horowitz Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. Horowitz was a Churchill High teacher who established the fund to provide food, shelter and clothing to the needy and homeless in Eugene and Springfield.