Not-for-profits establish fund

Cite ‘strained’ safety net as impetus

By Rob Cullivan

The Gresham Outlook, Feb 18, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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United Way of Columbia/Willamette Valley, the Oregon Food Bank and Community Action Programs in the Portland/Vancouver area have formed a Community Relief Fund to “shore up an already strained community safety net,” a statement from United Way read.

“This appeal for emergency funds will help support families who have been hardest hit in the economic crisis with basic needs like food, rent and utilities,” the statement continued.

The agency notes this fund is separate from the annual fundraising campaign United Way conducts each fall. The agency adds that 100 percent of donations to the Community Relief Fund will go directly to local programs, and that no overhead costs will be deducted. United Way will coordinate donations for the regional campaign.

An estimated 96,700 people are looking for work, twice the number last year, in the counties of Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Clark, the statement read. Demand at regional food banks is up more than 20 percent over the same period last year. Calls to 2-1-1 for resources were up 40 percent in the past three months, and utility companies are reporting that one in five of their customers are having difficulties paying bills.

“We see such a huge unmet need here in Mid and East County, especially for housing, food, clothing, medications and other basic needs,” Jean DeMaster, executive director of Human Solutions, said. Her organization serves the Gresham area, providing emergency services for homeless families as well as job training, rent assistance and more.

“While there should be a safety net for those most vulnerable in our community – young children, seniors, people with disabilities and others – there are many other very vulnerable people in our community who simply fall through the cracks,” she added.

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