A VISION that changed the STANDARD of fighting FOOD INSECURITY.

The Giving Plate's story traces back to April 2010 when a local couple, Gary and Debra Kelso, took a step of faith, despite their own trying circumstances, with a heartfelt hope to assist 500 local families through food relief.

People gathered at an outdoor event booth set up in front of a two-story building with a sign that says 'Space for Lease.' A white canopy tent, a small umbrella, and colorful bunting decorate the area, with chairs and tables underneath.

They embarked on a journey that would far exceed their initial vision.

Rooted in the belief that leading in love is the best way to live out their faith and that nobody should feel shame due to their need for nourishment, the Kelsos established a welcoming space that would grow to become one of the largest food pantries in the Central Oregon tri-counties of Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook. This journey of love, compassion, and unwavering dedication continues to shape The Giving Plate's legacy, creating a profound impact on countless lives.

View Our Growth Since Inception
A woman with short, brown hair, smiling, wearing a red and black patterned top and earrings, standing against a wooden background.

Debra Kelso

Co-Founder

A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and a beard wearing a red and black checkered shirt, sitting in front of a wooden wall.

Gary Kelso

Co-Founder

Three volunteers standing behind a table displaying food items and informational materials at a community event for food relief and outreach, with a blue banner in the background.
A room with colorful castle and tower murals painted on the wall. Shelves stocked with red plastic crates filled with onions and other produce. A table with boxes and a scale, and a white refrigerator on the left. Various storage boxes and a fan in t
Shelves filled with canned and boxed food items in a food bank with a sign that reads "Food Bank Open" in the background.
A man standing on the side of a highway holding a sign advertising free car wash and BBQ from the Giving Plate, with trees, a building, and cars in the background.
People at an outdoor event setup with banners, tables, and tents in front of a gray building with a 'Space for Lease' sign.
A woman and two young girls stand by a large rock on the sidewalk. The woman holds a sign advertising free car washes for donations to a food bank. The sign says 'The Giving Plate Free Car Wash & B' with a drawing of a soda and a bucket of cleaning s
A smiling woman with three young girls standing behind a table with snacks in red, yellow, and blue bins at a community event. The girls hold green reusable bags, and a menu or schedule is on the wall in the background.
Group of five kids and one adult standing in a room holding plates of pizza. The kids are wearing casual clothes, and the adult is dressed in a tan jacket and blue jeans. They are smiling and appear to be at a gathering or party.
Shelves filled with canned and boxed food items in a storage room, including paper grocery bags containing IGA corn snack boxes.
Two men standing inside a food pantry, smiling, with shelving filled with canned goods and boxes around them. One man is holding a paper bag.
A man in a green hoodie smiling while holding a wrapped Christmas gift next to a cart filled with holiday presents in front of an open delivery truck.
Three people standing behind a table with boxes of tomatoes and other grocery items in a community kitchen or food pantry, with colorful painted castle walls in the background.
A smiling woman with short curly hair wearing a dark hoodie, standing in a room with storage boxes and a laundry area in the background, holding a bag of snacks next to a large red container filled with bags of chips.
Three children smiling at a holiday drive-thru event, holding canned goods and toys as they stand in front of tables filled with donations and holiday-themed items.
Indoor scene with Christmas stockings hanging on a white divider, with some toys visible behind it, and a small wooden podium with a sign. A chair and a rack with brochures are also seen.

The gift of hope

JOIN US in reimagining HUNGER in Central Oregon

Black and white graphic of a sliced fruit, possibly a lemon or lime, with visible segments and textured interior.
Illustration of a pear.
Find ways to spread hope
An elderly woman shopping for canned tomatoes in a grocery store aisle.

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