Community support: United Way’s CARES Drive aims to ease financial strain
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — One in three households in Central Oregon, roughly 30,000 families, struggle to make ends meet daily. In response, the United Way of Central Oregon (UWCO) has launched the CARES Collection Drive this holiday season to assist those in need.
The CARES Collection Drive aims to ease the burden on families during a time of financial strain commonly felt during the year-end holidays. The initiative encourages community members to donate essential items such as diapers, period and incontinence products, which are vital for ensuring health and dignity among those facing economic hardship.
Diana Fischetti, Regional Executive Director of United Way of Central Oregon, expressed the importance of the community's involvement in the initiative. "Even small acts of generosity make a real difference," Fischetti said. "When our community comes together to meet basic needs like diapers, period and incontinence products, we're doing more than supplying essentials — we're strengthening stability and dignity for local families. United, we're helping Central Oregonians move from surviving to thriving."
The CARES Collection Drive is part of UWCO's broader efforts to strengthen community resilience through access to essential resources. Residents can drop off their donations at various collection sites located in Bend and Redmond throughout the holiday season.
In Bend, collection sites include Idaho First Bank, Wash. Trust Bank and several branches of First Interstate Bank and OnPoint Community Credit Union. Redmond collection sites include Washington Federal Bank and First Interstate Bank.
By donating, Central Oregonians can make a direct impact on local families and neighbors facing economic hardship this winter, helping to build dignity, hope and opportunity across the region.
The collection drive will continue throughout the holiday season, encouraging ongoing community support. For more information regarding donation locations and the initiative, residents can visit the United Way of Central Oregon's website.
A full list of where to donate is below:
Bend Locations:
· Idaho First Bank: 1002 NW Bond St, Bend, OR 97703
· Washington Trust Bank: 1219 NE 3rd St Ste 120, Bend, OR 97701
· First Interstate Bank:
o 1100 NW Wall St, Bend, OR 97703
o 1700 NE 3rd St, Bend, OR 97701
o 200 SW Century Dr, Bend, OR 97702
o 2630 NE Hwy 20, Bend, OR 97701
o 61250 S Hwy 97, Bend, OR 97702
· OnPoint Community Credit Union:
o 950 NW Bond St., Bend, OR, 97703
o 61276 S Highway 97, Suite 100, Bend, OR 9770
Redmond Locations:
· Washington Federal Bank: 855 SW Veterans Way, Redmond, OR 97756
· First Interstate Bank: 154 SW 6th St, Redmond, OR 97756
