Cow Creek Umpqua Indians help 4 C.O. nonprofits

On Wednesday, June 26, at Seven Feathers Convention Center in Canyonville, the Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation awarded a total of $556,850 to 83 non-profit organizations located in Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane counties, as well as philanthropies that serve multiple counties.

Four nonprofits located in Deschutes County who are focused on providing food relief were awarded grant funding. High Desert Food & Farm Alliance received $3,600, St. Vincent de Paul Bend received $5,000, The Giving Plate, Inc. received $7,500, and Family Kitchen received $7,500. That is a total of $23,600 being invested into Deschutes County to fight hunger.

The CCUIF was founded in 1997 and began its philanthropic efforts in 1998. To date, the Foundation has awarded $18,505,374 million to the seven southwestern Oregon counties from which it accepts grant requests. Grants are awarded semi-annually, in January and June The CCUIF giving ceremony in January awarded $496,550 to 73 non-profits.

Foundation Executive Director Carma Mornarich said, ” The work of CCUIF strengthens the fiber of southwestern Oregon. One grant at a time provides that more children are educated, families are helped, and more hungry people are fed. Some of the requests are extremely basic. For instance, a food bank we’ve granted many times asks that we assist with purchasing protein and food items. Another charity we’ve granted asks for funding to improve laundry facilities in a shelter for homeless women and children. ”

” Assisting, preventing, enriching, and lessening difficulty are what the CCUIF is about. These grants are a hand up for so many in our communities. ”

All four Deschutes County nonprofits are grateful for the investment CCUIF has made not only in their organizations but the community as a whole.

” The High Desert Food & Farm Alliance ( HDFFA ) is so grateful for the support of the CCUIF. This grant award will go towards our Grow & Give program, which collects and donates fresh food to be distributed by NeighborImpact. It is such a privilege to play a role in getting healthy, locally grown food to the hunger-relief agencies dedicated to food access in this community, ” said High Desert Food & Farm Alliance Program Director, Carrie Mack

” CCUIF is a cornerstone of support for the social service agencies throughout Oregon. St Vincent de Paul of Bend is so grateful for their support of our program throughout the years, and for the opportunities that they provide for all of Deschutes County. With these funds, we will be able to provide additional high quality, nutritious food into every food box that we give out to the community, ” said St. Vincent de Paul Bend Director, Jordan Reeher

” CCUIF was one of the foundations that linked arms with The Giving Plate in our early days when funding was thin. Their partnership over the years has empowered us to meet the growing need for food relief. It was exciting to attend the June 26 th ceremony and see the broader investment that CCUIF is making across Oregon, especially in our county. All of us at The Giving Plate are truly thankful for their ongoing support, ” said The Giving Plate Executive Director Ranae Staley .

” The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation has long been a supporter of the touchstone tenet in Family Kitchen’s mission: to serve a meal to ANYONE in need. We are grateful for funding that can help us continue to serve those who are most vulnerable, ” said Family Kitchen Program Director, Donna Burklo

To learn about CCUIF or these four local nonprofits you can go to:

www.cowcreekfoundation.org , https://hdffa.org/, https://stvincentdepaulbend.org/, www.thegivingplate.org, and http://www.familykitchen.org/