The Orange Bag Project: A Radio Conversation with Dave Clemens and Dawn Cofer of First Interstate Bank

At The Giving Plate, we’ve always believed in the power of community to help fight hunger. Recently, our Executive Director, Ranae Staley, joined Dave Clemens and Dawn Cofer of First Interstate Bank for a radio spot to talk about something that’s been weighing on our hearts—the increasing demand for food assistance in Central Oregon.

In the past year, we’ve seen more families turning to The Giving Plate for support than ever before. As food prices continue to rise and more households face financial hardship, our Community Store model has been stretched to meet the growing need. While we are grateful to serve as a source of nourishment and hope, we know that it takes a village to keep food on the shelves.

That’s why we’re incredibly excited about First Interstate Bank’s new Orange Bag Program, launching February 1st. This initiative will provide an easy way for community members to help stock The Giving Plate with essential food items. The idea is simple: grab an orange bag at a participating First Interstate Bank branch, fill it with nonperishable groceries, and return it to the bank. From there, the donations will come directly to The Giving Plate, ensuring that families facing food insecurity have access to nutritious options.

During the radio conversation, Dawn shared why First Interstate Bank is so passionate about supporting local hunger relief efforts. Their team has seen firsthand how food insecurity affects families in Central Oregon, and they’re committed to making a tangible difference. Through the Orange Bag Program, they’re not just raising awareness—they’re taking action.

We are deeply grateful for this partnership and for the generosity of First Interstate Bank. Every donation collected through this program will go directly to families in our community who need it most. With the support of businesses, volunteers, and donors like you, we can continue to feed hope and fight hunger—one orange bag at a time.

If you missed the radio spot, you can listen by clicking play at the top of this blog post. Let’s come together to ensure no one in our community has to wonder where their next meal is coming from.

#FeedingHope #OrangeBagProgram #FirstInterstateBank #TheGivingPlate