It’s easy to forget the problems that the pandemic created as we pass the two-month date for Gov. Kate Brown’s original stay at home order and we adjust to social distancing as the new normal. But there are still issues we need to address, as the article “Homeward Unbound” states in EW’s 5/14 issue. Housing and food insecurity go hand in hand as more than 40 million Americans have applied for unemployment, and Eugene is not exempt from this. Already food insecurity was an existential crisis, with more than 41 million Americans dependent on food stamps before the pandemic, and that number is only expected to climb.
But the pandemic isn’t all about doom and gloom and the awful things we hear on the news. There are ways to help, and you can do that safely from your own home. OSPIRG Students, a student-run nonprofit is working to address food insecurity by hosting a streamathon, the Artist Showcase Fundraiser for FOOD For Lane County. Local artists will be sharing their work and educating listeners on what they can do to help out, and all proceeds will be going directly to FFLC. Find us on Facebook and join us on June 4 at 2 pm, and together we can enjoy beautiful art and help out those in need all from the comfort of your own couch.
Marcella Buser
OSPIRG Students
Campus Organizer
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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