For the fifth year, Belo NBC affiliate KGW Portland, Ore., is launching its major public service campaign to address the hunger problem in the Northwest.

Throughout March, KGW and Oregon Food Bank are striving to raise one million pounds of food to help supply 20 regional food banks and 919 hunger-relief agencies across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

People wishing to participate can donate by visiting www.oregonfoodbank.org. For the second year Tillamook Cheese is participating as the presenting sponsor. As part of the sponsorship, a portion of every purchase of Tillamook cheese in Oregon and ClarkCounty, Wash., during March will be donated to Oregon Food Bank. Non-perishable food will be accepted at any U.S. Bank branch, the Tillamook Cheese Visitor’s Center in Tillamook, Ore., and at KGW’s studio at 1501 SW Jefferson in downtown Portland. For every dollar donated, Oregon Food Bank can collect and distribute six pounds of food worth more than $7.

"For far too many Northwest families, hunger remains a daily problem. KGW NewsChannel 8 is committed to helping those who need it the most,” said D.J. Wilson, KGW president-general manager.

Oregon Food Bank is a nonprofit, charitable organization. It is the hub of a statewide network of 919 hunger-relief agencies serving every county in Oregon as well as Clark County, Wash. Oregon Food Bank recovers food from farms, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources. It then delivers that food to 20 regional food banks across Oregon.  Sixteen are independent charitable organizations.

OFB directly operates four regional food banks that distribute food weekly to more than 340 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other programs helping low-income people in Multnomah, Clark, Clackamas, Washington, Harney, Malheur and Tillamook counties. Oregon Food Bank also works to eliminate the root causes of hunger through advocacy and public education.