The United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, Oregon Food Bank, and Community Action Programs in all four metro-area counties have announced the formation of the Community Relief Fund to shore up an already strained community safety net. The 90 day fund drive is geared toward helping residents struggling through the current recession. The emergency funds will help support families who have been hardest hit in the economic crisis with basic needs like food, rent/mortgage assistance, and utilities. 100% of the funds will go directly to people being served by local programs. The effort will begin in March and run through May.

Unemployment is at a 26 year high in Clark County with 24,580 people unemployed. Emergency food requests are up 25% with a 25% increase in new clients who have never needed to visit a food bank before. Home foreclosures are up, help for rent/mortgage assistance and utility assistant are up. Our local agencies are not able to keep up with the increased need.

The United Way has provided seed money and has launched a Give $10 tell 10 campaign. The funds raised will go directly to agencies that serve our most in-need residents. In Clark County, the YWCA, Salvation Army, Share, Interfaith Treasure House, And The Cowlitz Tribe will be serving clients with the funding.

The Oregon Community Foundation announced a $100,000 grant to United Way of the Columbia-Willamette to support the newly-formed Community Relief Fund. Providence Health & Services provided a $50,000 grant to support emergency prescription assistance to the neediest members of our communities.

Please visit the United Way website at http://www.unitedway-pdx.org/ for more information.