In Beaverton, a beacon of compassion shines from Holly Tree Village, an affordable housing community where Melanie has taken it upon herself to confront a pervasive issue head-on: food insecurity. Witnessing her neighbors, many of whom are seniors and individuals with disabilities, struggle to afford nutritious food amid rising prices, Melanie founded her own food bank, Hollytree Food Harvest. As conducted by Washington County’s website, Melanie shared her motivations, stating, “I needed a place to live, being disabled and on social security, I did not have anywhere near the income I had when I was working.”
Having lived in affordable housing herself, moving into Holly Tree Village over two decades ago, Melanie’s intimate understanding of the community’s difficulties has driven her commitment, as detailed in a Washington County interview. The village, revamped through the Affordable Housing Preservation Portfolio Project, holds 592 preserved affordable units, offering residents like Melanie not just a roof over their heads but a network of support. However, while affordable housing addressed one fundamental need, Melanie saw another gap—consistent access to food. She told Washington County, “A lot of these people would go without [food].”
Melanie’s advocacy is not a newfound venture. She previously volunteered with Tualatin Valley Gleaners, a testament to her decade-long support of food pantries. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted ordinary life, she mobilized, gathering excess food from a local Fred Meyer, dismayed by the prospect of waste while her community faced shortages. In December 2022, Hollytree Food Harvest gratefully received its 501(c)(3) non-profit status and, with the support of the housing management, expanded its operations, including a designated room and refrigeration for food storage…