Central Oregon Strong: Bend-La Pine Schools grateful for physical donations, but running out of space; urges giving to funds instead

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend-La Pine Schools are offering thanks for an influx of physical donations in the wake of the Silver Rail Elementary shooting three weeks ago, but as it runs short of storage space, the district is asking that people considering donating to several funds set up for that purpose.

"We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and compassion of our community," the school district said in a posting this week to the Silver Rail Community Info Hub:

"The willingness to come together and support students and families impacted by the Silver Rail Elementary tragedy speaks volumes about our community, and we sincerely appreciate everyone who wants to help." 

"We have seen a huge influx of physical donations, and we’ve so appreciated them! At this point, we’re quickly running out of space, and our staff does not have the capacity to accept, store and distribute donated items in a way that ensures they will reach those who need them most."

"If you're looking to make a difference, we encourage you to consider a monetary donation in lieu of physical items. The greatest needs that remain are services, which are best supported through financial contributions," the school district said.

Bend-La Pine Schools have set up a Silver Rail Recovery Fund. The donations will be prioritized for supporting the Silver Rail community in recovery from the October 15 tragedy. We can also recommend the Oregon Community Foundation's Rapid Response Fund, and the Silver Rail PTO's fund as donation options.