About Us

We are dedicated to providing opportunities for Central Linn citizens to give, receive, and learn.

Sharing Hands started in the early 1980s as a place for parents to exchange clothing and glean crops from local fields. Growing with the need, we became a non-profit corporation in 1982.
 
The clothing exchange evolved into the Thrift Store which now serves the general public. It recycles over 5,000 articles of clothing and general household items monthly and offers them for sale at affordable prices. It is the Brownsville area's only clothing and general store.

The gathering of local crops grew into the Food Bank, which today is a part of the Oregon Food Bank distribution network. We provide food to many Linn County families each month to help alleviate food insecurity.

The overall operating policies and supervision of Sharing Hands are the responsibility of a board of directors - three of whom are elected annually for a three-year term. The board meets on the third Tuesday of each month to review the financial, executive director's and program reports, and act on any business brought before it. If you are interested in serving on the Sharing Hands board, call 541-466-3003

Our dedicated Food Bank and Thrift Store volunteers donate over 500 hours of their time every month. They count and sort clothing and miscellaneous donations, mark and arrange them for display, cashier, maintaining the premises, receive and track food donations and shipments from Linn Benton Food Share, greet Food Bank customers, prepare their food baskets, and advise customers about other resources.