Announcement
April 06, 2020
See Where COVID Funds Are Already Going to Work
A Look at 7 Organizations at the Front Lines of COVID-19 Response in Oregon
As of April 2, 2020, generous donors have cumulatively donated $7.5 million to OCF to support Oregonians impacted by COVID-19. Here’s a look at seven Oregon nonprofit organizations responding to community needs with recent OCF grants – just a sampling of the important work happening around our state.
NeighborImpact
Nonprofits provide food to vulnerable people every day, and that need is growing from the economic impacts of COVID-19. NeighborImpact distributes food in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Before COVID-19, they distributed 40,000 pounds of food a week, but the weekly amount doubled in late March. An Oregon Community Recovery grant is helping with overtime staffing, temporary positions and food and supply purchases to meet the increased need. neighborimpact.org
Community Action of Washington County
Many families in Washington County are struggling with lost or reduced wages as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Community Action of Washington County in Hillsboro assists by providing rent and bill paying assistance and distributes diapers, hygiene and cleaning supplies. Demand is huge and the Oregon Community Recovery grant is helping to fill funding gaps to keep families safe. caowash.org
Jackson County Bear Creek Greenway
Unhoused residents - without basic hygiene facilities and few options for meals that meet social distancing guidelines - are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. Bear Creek Greenway, a 21-mile path that runs from Central Point to Ashland, is used for recreation, but is also home to a large population of people experiencing homelessness. An Oregon Community Recovery grant is helping Jackson County and partnering cities, Mercy Flights, and Access Food Share to deliver food, medical services, portable handwashing stations and toilets to camps along the greenway. jacksoncountyor.org
Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency
School closures are hitting homeless youth particularly hard, eliminating a source of structure, meals and safety. Taylor's House, a 24/7 homeless youth shelter run by Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency in Salem, needs additional funding to keep up services now that the residents aren’t away at school during weekdays. The Oregon Community Recovery grant will help pay for supplies, food and support staff working overtime to keep up important services like Taylor’s House and other housing and education related services provided by the agency. mwvcaa.org
El Programa Hispano Católico
Strong demand for services because of increased unemployment is straining many social service nonprofits. An Oregon Community Recovery grant is helping El Programa Hispano Católico (EPHC) continue serving Latinx communities in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, including delivering food and medical supplies to seniors, spreading information about COVID-19 orders and available services, and creating educational and activity kits for youth, so that those without computer access at home can keep learning. elprograma.org
Craft3 Small Business Lending
As the global COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, Oregon is experiencing dramatic declines in commercial activity and lost revenues for business across a broad range of sectors. Craft3, a nonprofit lender serving Pacific Northwest communities, identified vulnerable borrowers, including schools, hotels, restaurants, retail, tourism, and service businesses. An Oregon Small Business Stabilization Fund grant will help Craft3 extend their loan terms and temporarily defer payments to help small business borrowers weather this storm. craft3.org
Native American Youth and Family Center
Fifty percent of the Native population in Multnomah County earns less than $24,000 per year and today Native families served by Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) in Portland are experiencing increased unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. An Oregon Community Recovery grant is helping NAYA maintain vital services for elders, food pantry curb-side pickup and relief distribution of childcare products. nayapdx.org
