Oregon Food Bank, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and NW Natural are asking you to join them in raising money for hunger, housing and heat this winter. In its second year, the Help with the Basics campaign asks you to donate $30. Of that, $10 will go to Oregon Food Bank, $10 to United Way’s Community Safety Net Fund for housing and $10 to NW Natural’s Gas Assistance Program. Last year, the campaign raised more than $25,000. “Of course, people can donate more than $30 to help their neighbors in need. The funds will be split between the three causes when the campaign ends. And all of it will help people meet basic needs,” said Von Summers, NW Natural community affairs manager. Forty percent of kids in our region live in low-income families according to the Census Bureau’s 2011 American Community Survey. In an average month during the last year, the Oregon Food Bank estimates 270,000 people in Oregon and Clark County, Wash., ate meals from emergency food boxes. Of those, almost 92,000 were children. “We are grateful for NW Natural’s and United Way’s collaboration to help those in need,” Susannah Morgan, CEO of Oregon Food Bank said. “Year-round community support is critical because basic needs don’t take a holiday.” United Way focuses on breaking the cycle of childhood poverty in our region, and a strong safety net, including short-term rent and mortgage assistance, is a critical part of that. “Families in crisis need basic services like food, housing and heat so they can get through tough times and focus on moving toward a better life,” said Keith Thomajan, president and CEO of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. “We appreciate every donation and our partnership with NW Natural and Oregon Food Bank.” Donations can be made now through Feb. 28 at www.unitedway-pdx.org/basics.
