Veterans in Salem can now walk into a pantry stocked with free hygiene products, food, furniture, and household essentials at 2907 22nd St. SE. No appointment is needed.

The Essential Goods Pantry, run by Courtney Place Veterans Housing, opened to serve any veteran in the community, not just residents of the nonprofit's 34-unit affordable housing complex.

Program specialist Baltazar Campuzano staffs the space and is often the first face a veteran sees when they walk through the door, Salem Reporter senior reporter Abbey McDonald reported July 28.

Everything is free.

Campuzano does more than hand out supplies. He connects visitors with resources for their households and tries to pull them into social activities with other veterans around town, including trivia nights and miniature golf outings.

The pantry is open Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the organization's Instagram page.

More than a pantry

Courtney Place Veterans Housing, founded in 2023, operates the 34-unit affordable housing development in southeast Salem built in part with $6.1 million from Oregon Lottery-backed bonds, according to the Oregon Lottery.

Executive Director Andrew Holbert leads the small nonprofit, which employs two to 10 people, according to the organization's LinkedIn page.

Holbert was selected for the 2026 Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program through the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

The pantry is part of a broader expansion. In April, Courtney Place announced it was growing its wraparound services for veterans across Marion and Polk counties. Volunteers who want to help can sort donations and organize supplies; opportunities are listed at liveatcourtneyplace.com/volunteer.

Upcoming community events

• Oregon State Fair: Friday, August 28, through Monday, September 7, at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center, 2330 17th St. NE, Salem.