United Way Disperses $58,800 in Food & Shelter Grants to 10 Organizations

Funding Prioritizes Food Access for Children in Summer, Unhoused, and Older Adults Amid Federal Funding Pause

Bend, OR — We at United Way of Central Oregon, in partnership with the Local Emergency Food & Shelter Board, have awarded $58,800 in funds to 10 organizations delivering essential food and shelter services across Deschutes County.

This year, the Local Board made food access a top funding priority, with a particular emphasis on organizations serving children — especially during the summer months when school meals are unavailable — as well as unhoused individuals, families, and older adults. Priority consideration was given to nonprofit programs that purchase the food they distribute and that are currently facing budget shortfalls due to federal funding reductions and cancellations. These include cuts to critical federal programs like Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) and Local Food for Schools (LFS), which have disrupted food banks, pantries, and school meal initiatives across the nation. The Local Board also focused on maximizing long-term impact and ensuring fair distribution of funds across eligible organizations. To avoid duplicating support, the Local Board ensured agencies already receiving Deschutes County funding did not also receive EFSG, recognizing that these funds were provided through County allocations.

2025 EFSG Grant Recipients:

· $6,000 – Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend

· $5,000 – Central Oregon Veteran & Community Outreach (COVO)

· $5,000 – Family Kitchen

· $2,500 – Friends of the Children – Central Oregon

· $5,000 – Jericho Road

· $11,000 – Shepherd’s House Ministries

· $6,000 – St. Vincent de Paul Bend

· $6,000 – St. Vincent de Paul La Pine

· $6,000 – St. Vincent de Paul Redmond

· $6,300 – The Giving Plate

“This funding is a crucial piece of the safety net for our community,” said Diana Fischetti, our Regional Executive Director. “At a time when federal resources are uncertain, we are grateful to Deschutes County for investing in local solutions that directly reach the people who need them most.”

Each year, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners designates a portion of video lottery revenue to support our Emergency Food & Shelter Grants (EFSG). These funds come at a critical time because federal Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) funds, historically awarded in tandem with County funds, remain suspended pending an ongoing federal review of the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) program. With the federal EFSP program paused indefinitely, the Local Board moved ahead with the County-funded EFSG to ensure Deschutes County residents receive at least a portion of this critical support. We customarily allocates approximately $300,000 in Emergency Food & Shelter funding across Central Oregon. However, this year agencies in Jefferson and Crook counties—entirely reliant on federal resources for EFSP—will unfortunately go without the assistance they urgently need.

This all comes amid increasing need. According to United Way’s latest United for ALICE report, 32% of households in Deschutes County live below the ALICE Threshold: working, but still earning less than the basic cost of living. These families often include essential workers who continue to face barriers to accessing food, housing, and healthcare. They are forced to make impossible daily choices just to get by, such as deciding between purchasing vital medications or repairing the vehicle they rely on to reach work. In Jefferson County, 42% of residents, and in Crook County, 43%, live below the ALICE Threshold, often earning too much to qualify for traditional assistance but still struggling to afford necessities like childcare and transportation.

We are steadfastly committed to supporting those who live below the ALICE Threshold and to strengthening our community’s resilience in the face of growing challenges.

For more information about EFSG and United Way’s impact in Central Oregon, visit http://www.unitedwaycentraloregon.org.

ALICE Report details size and scope of financial hardship in Central Oregon.

Diana Fischetti (United Way of Central Oregon Regional Executive Director), Jim Cooper (United Ways of the Pacific Northwest President and CEO) and Stephanie Hoopes, Ph.D. (United For ALICE Director), are available for interviews.

There were 737,157 Oregon households unable to afford the state’s cost of living in 2023, according to the ALICE Report that we released today along with United Ways of the Pacific Northwest. We released the Report in partnership with United For ALICE, a U.S. research organization driving innovation, research and action to improve life across the country for people in financial hardship.

ALICE in Oregon: A Study of Financial Hardship places a spotlight on what United For ALICE calls the ALICE population — households earning more than the official Federal Poverty Level, but less than the cost of basics such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, technology, and taxes in their local community. ALICE® stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — a large population of hardworking residents who work at low-paying jobs, have little or no savings and are one emergency away from falling into poverty.

The Report is the most comprehensive depiction of financial need in the state to date, using the latest data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census. This Report unveils new measures, based on 2023 income levels and expenses, that quantify how many Oregon households are struggling financially, and why.

In 2023, out of Oregon’s total 1.7 million households, a total of 528,716 households fell into the ALICE population. This number was more than double the official poverty rate, which accounted for another 208,441 households in the state. Combined, ALICE households and households in poverty made up the population below the ALICE Threshold of Financial Survival and accounted for 42% of all households in Oregon. Details about Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties are below:

• Crook: 34% ALICE & 9% below the Federal Poverty Line (FPL)
• Deschutes: 23% ALICE & 9% below the FPL
• Jefferson: 28% ALICE & 14% below the FPL

“We all know ALICE,” said Diana Fischetti, our Regional Executive Director of United Way of Central Oregon. “ALICE is the young family squeezed by the cost of childcare, the recent college graduate living with roommates because rent is out of reach, and the mid-career professional underemployed despite doing everything ‘right.’ These are the people who teach our kids, care for our elders, and keep our economy running — and yet they’re struggling to afford the basics. That’s not a personal failure; it’s a sign of systems that no longer work for working people.”

The Report is a project of United For ALICE, which leads a grassroots movement of United Ways, corporations, nonprofits and foundations in more than half the United States, all using the same methodology to document financial need. ALICE Reports provide county-by-county data and analysis of how many households are struggling, including the obstacles ALICE households face on the road to financial independence.

“This Report provides the objective data that explains why so many residents are struggling to survive and the challenges they face in attempting to make ends meet,” said the Report’s lead researcher, United For ALICE National Director Stephanie Hoopes, Ph.D. “Until now, the true picture of need in local communities and states has been understated and obscured by misleading averages and outdated poverty statistics.”

The ALICE Report reveals:

• Between 2010 and 2023, the total number of households in Oregon increased by 15%, the number of households in poverty decreased by 4%, and the number of ALICE households increased by 27%.
• Single-female-headed households are especially impacted by the harsh realities of our economic systems, with nearly 40% living under the federal poverty line and an additional 32% ALICE.
• Households below the ALICE Threshold span all races, ages and genders, closely mirroring the state’s basic demographic make-up. Yet for certain groups, the struggle is disproportionate. For example, 61% of Black and 50% of Hispanic households in Oregon were below the ALICE Threshold in 2023, compared to 41% of white households.

“ALICE often is forced to make choices that compromise health and safety in order to make ends meet,” Fischetti said, “putting both ALICE and the wider community at risk of long-term societal and economic repercussions.”

“This data confirms what we see every day: that far too many families are stuck making impossible choices — between childcare and health care, or between food and rent,” Fischetti continued. “At United Way, we’re using the ALICE data to drive real solutions — by convening cross-sector partners, informing smarter investments, and advocating for systems that help families not just survive, but truly thrive.”

United Way mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity and financial security, United Way works towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential.

For more information or to find data about ALICE in local communities, visit www.UnitedForALICE.org.

About United Way of Central Oregon
Here at United Way of Central Oregon, we envision a community where every person can meet their basic needs, every child thrives, every family has a stable home, and neighbors unite to recover stronger from disasters. Through initiatives focusing on financial security, community resilience, youth opportunities and healthy communities, we are building a stronger, healthier Central Oregon. For more information, please visit https://www.unitedwaycentraloregon.org or contact Diana Fischetti at diana@uwco.org.

About United Ways of the Pacific Northwest
UWPNW is the regional trade association for 30 local United Ways in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. United Ways in the Pacific Northwest are committed to improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good in the areas of education, income and health.

About United For ALICE

United For ALICE is a U.S. research organization driving innovation, research and action to improve life across the country for ALICE^® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and for all. Through the development of the ALICE measurements, a comprehensive, unbiased picture of financial hardship has emerged. Harnessing this data and research on the mismatch between low-paying jobs and the cost of survival, ALICE partners convene, advocate and collaborate on solutions that promote financial stability at local, state and national levels. This grassroots ALICE movement, led by United Way of Northern New Jersey, has spread to 31 states and the District of Columbia and includes United Ways, corporations, nonprofits and foundations in Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin; we are United For ALICE. For more information, visit: UnitedForALICE.org.

We have $60,000 Available to Support Local Agencies Meeting Urgent Community Needs!

 

We just announced that the 2025 Deschutes County Emergency Food & Shelter Grants (EFSG) application is now open. With $60,000 in funding available, local agencies providing critical financial stability and community resilience services—such as food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and disaster preparedness, response and recovery—are encouraged to apply by 3:00 PM on Friday, April 25, 2025.

These funds, made possible by allocations from Deschutes County’s video lottery revenue, are administered annually by us at United Way of Central Oregon (UWCO), as determined by a diverse Local Board. This Board includes representatives from local government and community advocates representing nonprofit agencies focused on food, shelter and other basic needs, as well as the faith-based sector.

“We are committed to ensuring that Central Oregon families and individuals can access the supports they need to thrive,” said Diana Fischetti, Regional Executive Director of United Way of Central Oregon. “This funding helps strengthen the safety net in our community and builds long-term resilience. United Ways across our country are filling the gaps that too many of our neighbors fall into, and ensuring that everyone in our communities has a chance to find their footing and thrive.”

 

Historically, we ran parallel grantmaking processes that included both these Deschutes County EFSG funds, as well as federal Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) funds that came from FEMA. While the federal EFSP funds are currently on hold due to a federal policy review, we are moving forward with the Deschutes County allocation to ensure continued support of community agencies, albeit with fewer available funds. In 2024, 27 nonprofit partners across Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties received nearly $300,000 in funding from UWCO through the concurrent ESFP and EFSG process.

 

According to the latest United Way United for ALICE report, 35% of households in Deschutes County are living below the ALICE Threshold, meaning they earn less than the basic cost of living in the County. These households, often composed of essential workers, face significant challenges in affording necessities such as food, housing, medications, childcare, and transportation. UWCO prioritizes support for these ALICE individuals, recognizing that bolstering these working families is crucial for building our community.

 

Eligible agencies serving community members in Deschutes County are invited to review the application guidelines and submit their proposals for consideration. To learn more and apply, click here.

We’re celebrating a year of significant accomplishments, including the deployment of emergency food and shelter funds to organizations across Central Oregon. These efforts, combined with strategic initiatives and partnerships, have laid a strong foundation for continued growth and impact in 2025.

In 2024, we administered federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and Emergency Food and Shelter Grant (EFSG) funds totaling nearly $300,000 to support critical services addressing food insecurity, housing stability, and community resilience across Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes Counties. Awards included:

Crook County EFSP:

• Crook County Rotary Foundation: $8,250
• Love Dustina: $2,473
• Prineville Senior Center: $27,000
• Salvation Army: $6,144
• The Giving Plate: $11,963

Jefferson County EFSP:

• Jefferson County Faith Based Network: $18,488
• Madras Community Food Pantry: $41,618
• Salvation Army: $2,276

Deschutes County EFSP:

• Bethlehem Inn: $12,500
• J Bar J Youth Services: $17,145
• NeighborImpact: $5,000
• Salvation Army: $11,379
• Saving Grace: $5,000
• Shepherd’s House Ministries: $12,500
• The Giving Plate: $7,500
• Thrive Central Oregon: $15,000

Deschutes County EFSG:

• Assistance League of Bend: $4,750
• Bend Church – United Methodist: $6,000
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend: $7,500
• Central Oregon Council on Aging: $4,000
• Central Oregon Villages: $10,395
• Diaper Bank of Central Oregon: $7,500
• Family Kitchen: $7,500
• Friends of the Children Central Oregon: $2,500
• Home More Network: $5,000
• Jericho Road: $7,500
• Nativity Lutheran Church Food Pantry: $4,000
• Society of St. Vincent De Paul Redmond: $2,500
• Society of St. Vincent De Paul La Pine: $1,755
• St. Vincent de Paul Society Bend: $7,500

2024 also marked our successful merger with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, enhancing operational efficiency and expanding our reach. This milestone, coupled with the release of United Way’s ALICE Report, a study of financial hardship highlighting the challenges faced by Central Oregon households, underscores our commitment to addressing systemic barriers and promoting fairness.

“As we reflect on the past year, we are incredibly proud of all we have accomplished, including the deployment of funds for critical services supporting our community members, as well as the completion of a strategic merger that has strengthened our organization. Looking ahead, we are excited to launch our new transportation program, which promises to bring much-needed solutions to our community, and to award more federal funds across our region. We are poised for another year of growth and success, and thankful for the support of our community,” said Diana Fischetti, our Regional Executive Director.

Building on these successes, we are preparing to allocate new EFSP and EFSG funds for Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes Counties in 2025. These resources will continue to address food, shelter, and clothing needs throughout the region.

In 2025, we will also launch Ride United, an innovative program aimed at eliminating transportation barriers for individuals in need. By providing free, reliable transportation to critical services such as medical appointments, job interviews, food pantries, veterans’ services, and housing resources, Ride United will strengthen community connections and foster resilience.

We a community where every person can meet their basic needs, every child thrives, every family has a stable home, and neighbors unite to recover stronger from disasters. Through initiatives focusing on healthy communities, financial security, youth opportunities, and community resilience, we are building a stronger, healthier Central Oregon. For more information about the ALICE Report, please visit https://unitedforalice.org; for more information about UWCO, please visit https://www.unitedwaycentraloregon.org or contact Diana Fischetti at diana@uwco.org.