Available Services
SHEM is much more than an emergency food pantry! Our numerous outreach community programs provide desperately needed services and resources to the most marginalized members of our community, as well as those who temporarily find themselves without basic needs due to job loss, fire, or household emergencies.
Emergency Food Box Program
SHEM provides one emergency food box to each household per month, which contain enough food to provide each person in the household with three meals a day for three to five days. SHEM also encourages clients to return each week for fresh fruit, vegetables and bread. Currently, SHEM food pantry is offering a waiting area for clients to complete their paperwork, visit Carmen's Closet, and wait for their food boxes to be prepared.
Hours of Operation
SHEM is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30. We cannot accept applications for food boxes after 11:30 or financial assistance after 11:15.
* Please note that the above time frames allow volunteers to complete order requests and meet the set closing hours of 11:30. Thank you for understanding.
Manna Meals Program Offers "To-Go" Meals for Diners
Free hot meal served every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday served at 5:00 pm at the United Methodist Church at 6th Ave. & Ironwood in Sweet Home. This meal is open to everyone regardless of income, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status. At this time the dining room is open for walk in guests, plus meals are prepared and sent to the FAC each of these evenings. For more information, please call 541-367-3073.
Carmen’s Closet: Clothing/Household Items During Covid-19
SHEM offers free clothing, shoes, household items and hygiene items supplied mainly through private donations and a small allowance from United Way. SHEM also helps with relocation necessities, as well as providing fire burnout victims with household items, blankets, furniture and clothing. Retired pantry carts have been re-purposed into creating a "mobile" Carmen's Closet, where they are rolled out the door each day SHEM pantry is open. Closet resources are offered on a limited basis and monitored by the Closet Manager. Posted signage indicates current policies, such as mask wearing, hand-sanitizing. These policies must be adhered to before clients are allowed to browse the clothing rack for a limited time period.
Back to School Program
SHEM coordinates with community partners to provide backpacks and school supplies for school-aged children. Supplies are distributed the week before school begins in the fall. This program is fully funded through Salvation Army Bell Ringing Project, Carmen’s Closet and private donations.
Christmas Box Program
The Christmas Box Applications are available for downloading on this website. SHEM coordinates the holiday basket program with local civic and community organizations, schools and churches in providing families with a special holiday food box. Applications for holiday food boxes are available beginning in October and accepted until the date posted on the form. Please provide 2 working telephone numbers where you can be reached. Box recipients are contacted by and distributed by several participating organizations.
Special Needs Clients
SHEM Special Needs area addresses certain dietary restrictions, such as diabetics, vegetarian, limited gluten-free items, and including pre-cooked, shelf-stable food items for the homeless. Hygiene packets are provided by Compassion in Action of Linn County. A limited supply of baby items and diapers are also available for families with infants.
Financial Assistance
SHEM has a limited amount of financial assistance available for clients, who may access this service three times in a lifetime, and once in a 12 month period. Assistance amount is capped at $100.
* For Utility Shut-Off Notices: necessary utilities only: water, electricity, heating fuel
* For Housing Eviction Notices: Restricted to one time only to provide temporary relief from eviction.
* Prescription Assistance: Antibiotics allowed, but no painkillers, or mood altering drugs.
* Gasoline vouchers provided only for verified out of town doctor appointments.
* Propane vouchers: $25.00 voucher for propane to be used at Sweet Home RV Center.
Limited English Proficiency Plan in Place
SHEM extends a warm welcome to clients who may have limited English-speaking ability. Provision has been made to provide bi-lingual literature and pantry shelf items that are dual-identified in Spanish and English. We also have a bi-lingual checklist inventory that clients may elect to check items upon intake that they will use in their household. This list is handed to the volunteer for preparation of an emergency food box. SHEM strives to obtain and make available culturally appropriate food items whenever possible. Clients have a choice of either English or Spanish Intake forms, as well as personal assistance by SHEM staff if it is necessary. Sight recognition flash cards (pictures) of pantry shelf items are on site to provide for clients who are unable to read.