OUR MISSION
Bandon Food and Flourish (BFF) offers free resources for the unhoused, and those at risk of becoming unhoused within the Bandon community.
Through compassionate and consistent community engagement, Bandon Food and Flourish fosters hope, encourages resiliency, and helps individuals thrive.
BFF believes that providing individuals with consistent weekly food assistance is a first step toward security, wellbeing, and community connection.
Bandon Food and Flourish is available to everyone who seeks assistance, and is free from judgment, discrimination, and bias.
Bandon Food and Flourish is a Campus of Care open every Friday afternoon.
BFF offers free resources and assistance to all in need in Bandon.
Our Programs
Bandon Food and Flourish is dedicated to expanding the Campus of Care to meet the needs of the community. BFF has grown its offerings and programs. BFF is grateful to the Bandon community for its collaborative efforts and ongoing support.
Free
Friday Program
Groceries, clothing, and essentials — free for all.
Coos County Community Outreach
Housing, health, recovery, and support services all in one place.
Youth Food Assistance & Support
Weekly weekend meals and nutritious snacks for children in need.
C.A.R.E
Coordination
Connecting residents with local services and essential community resources.
OUR HISTORY
In February 2023 Marissa Nuez encountered an unhoused individual who was cold, wet, and hungry. She was stirred to compassion, prompting her to bring this individual a hot meal, warm clothing, and camping supplies. This encounter inspired her to provide weekly hot meals, clothing, and camping supplies to the local unhoused community. A Bandon City Council meeting in February 2024 introduced Marissa and her compassionate heart to the Bandon community. Following that meeting, Marissa began to receive support from neighboring churches, a handful of individuals, a neighboring food bank, city government and police, a local grocery store, and was encouraged to launch a 501c3 nonprofit. With support and organizational administration by Sheila Howe, and the inaugural board, including Deb Holder, Laurie Bowman, Judy Jackson, Amy Moss Strong, and Carrie Foster, Food and Faith (now Bandon Food and Flourish), officially launched in November 2024. Today, BFF provides food assistance, free clothing, camping and hygiene supplies, as well as monthly outreach services from Coos County Connection Points. What began as a humble weekly distribution of hot meals and free groceries and clothes has grown into a weekly community outreach program for all residents of Bandon — the unhoused, those at risk of being unhoused, elderly on fixed incomes, working families, and individuals struggling to make ends meet.
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Our Team
The faces of Bandon Food and Flourish
Marissa Nuez
Director and C.A.R.E. Coordinator
Sheila Howe
Board Chair
Judy Jackson
Secretary and Garden Chair
Cheryl Pease
Free Friday Operations Chair
Holly Von Damm
Treasurer and Hospitality Chair
Tina Peterson:
Food Acquisition, Safety, and Shopping Coordination Chair
Amy Moss Strong
Marketing and Print, and Media Chair
Carrie Foster
Youth Support and Assistance Chair
Becca Dickinson
Volunteer Coordination and Development Chair
Laurie Bowman
Operations Support and Food Consultant Chair
get involved
We are grateful to our volunteers
BFF is indebted to its committed and resolute volunteers. Without the volunteers and the spirit of volunteerism that has embraced the Bandon Food and Flourish mission, it would not be in operation. BFF is grateful and indebted to its volunteers for showing up week after week to set up, shop, interact with the shoppers, and compassionately respond to all they encounter. BFF deeply appreciates the caring, generous hearts of all of its volunteers.
Volunteer Activities
1. Free Friday set up, distribution, community engagement, and general operations.
2. Weekly assistance with the Snack-Pack Program — Project Full Hearts.
3. Weekly shopping and grocery pick-up.
4. Sorting clothing and donated nonfood items.
5. Bagging and labeling pet food.
Volunteer Hours
Volunteer hours are Thursdays 12-2 p.m. and Fridays from 12-3 p.m. To volunteer, please contact bandonfoodandflourish@gmail.com, or stop by the gym on Thursday or Friday between 12-3 p.m. The BFF campus is located at 975 Elmira SE, Bandon, Oregon
Donate Now
The Bandon community, churches, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals have been incredibly supportive of BFF’s mission and work. The community generosity is responsible for the success of the organization and the ability for BFF to provide groceries, hygiene products, local farm goods, pet food, and youth support within the Bandon community.