Give Locally
by Bruce Bartlett
In the interest of "livin' local," we'd like to highlight three very-local charitable organizations that do great work for people in need right here. The Cedar Mill Business Association's November meeting will feature representatives of each of these organizations. Anyone interested in business in Cedar Mill is welcome to attend on Tuesday, November 8, 11:45-1 in the chapel of the Cedar Mill Bible Church.
Additionally, we'll be collecting winter outerwear for all ages for all three groups at the next two Leedy Grange Flea Market events, November 5 and December 3, 10-4 at the Grange Hall, 835 NW Saltzman. We'll also welcome donations of non-perishable food and items like new socks/underwear, toilet paper, toothbrushes/tooth paste and diapers for Sunshine Pantry, and new towels and washcloths and new toiletry items for DVRC at the Flea Markets. Ask at the door about where to put your donated items.
Sunshine Pantry
 One does not get to ignore the reality of unmet needs for food and basic essentials in our community while talking with Sharon Straus, founder of The Sunshine Pantry (www.sunshinepantry.org). The mission of the Sunshine Pantry is to help those in need make it through difficult times, and Sharon is emphatic that "no child should go to bed hungry." Sharon visited the November meeting of Citizen Participation Organization #1 and shared her organization's mission, and challenges, with us. No one is turned away: children, the unemployed, the working poor, single moms, seniors on fixed incomes, as well as community institutions, all are helped by Sunshine Pantry. No documentation is required, nor are there any other barriers to receive assistance: Sharon says to just bring an empty box and a smile. After telling us of the impact that a new pair of socks had on a high school student who had no regular house to sleep in, there were few dry eyes in the crowd. (Visualize a teenage boy rejoicing over new white socks.)
The Sunshine Pantry is an independent family-run nonprofit food pantry in Beaverton. For more than 25 years the Sunshine Pantry has gathered food, clothing, household items, toys and toiletries to distribute to families in need. What started out as a Cub Scout canned food drive in her garage with her oldest son, now supplies necessities to over 500 families per month from a small, secured warehouse in Beaverton. Most of the food comes from local stores that donate excess or outdated items, and from Fork It Over, Metro's food donation program to reduce hunger and waste in the Portland area.
In an average month, about 260,000 people in Oregon and SW Washington eat meals from emergency food boxes. 86,000 of them are children. The Sunshine Pantry serves between 50-75 families each day with activity ramping up during the coming holidays.
Sharon shared that she has never seen as many children living in cars. The prevailing scenario among this population is: sleep in the car, clean up in a restroom at a convenience store, then stop by the Sunshine Pantry for something to eat before going to school.
 BSD Homeless program
The number of Oregon students in unstable, insecure housing situations (homeless) continued an uphill climb to 20,545 state-wide during the past school year, yet another harsh reminder of our economic miseries. Since the Oregon Department of Education first began the annual homeless count during the 2003-04 school year, the number has more than doubled, and represents an increase of about 1,500 students from the previous year.
Lisa Mentesana, the Beaverton School District (BSD) homeless liaison, said the overall upward trend is far from surprising: "It just feels like people have exhausted every possible resource." Beaverton's total student homeless count, 1,584, again surpassed the official count at Portland Public Schools, which enrolls approximately 7,000 more students. Both counts, however, are likely under the real totals.
The BSD has forged a partnership with the City of Beaverton and the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon to pair homeless high school students with host families. In collaboration with Ecumenical Ministries' Shared Housing program and the Luis Palau Association, the district's Homeless Liaison office is seeking at least 20 homes willing to take in students who are couch surfing or living in shelters or transitional housing. This work is coordinated by the Title X Social Support office. More information at 503-591-4462. See www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2011/09/oregons_homeless_student_popul.html
The Cedar Mill Business Association donates $1000 annually to the program to fund the Birthday Club, which provides a greeting card and a gift card to Sunset homeless students—in many cases it's the only gift these kids get, and they really enjoy it.
Domestic Violence Resource Center
 Unfortunately, as the stresses of our economic collapse increase, so does the violence within families. Domestic violence affects everyone. One in four women has experienced violence in intimate relationships; nationwide three women are killed by their partners every day. Seventy-four percent of Americans know a victim of domestic violence. Domestic abuse yearly costs almost $6 billion in health care, lost productivity, lost earnings, property loss. The cost of criminal and justice services, and victims' pain and suffering is incalculable.
The Washington County Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC, dvrc-or.org) deals with the results of this violence every day with the myriad services they provide. First established in 1977, the DVRC remains the County's sole provider of prevention, intervention and empowerment services specifically designed for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
A round-the-clock crisis line provides a lifeline to those in crisis (503-469-8620 or toll free 1-866-469-8600). The DVRC runs Monika's House Shelter, Washington County's only domestic violence shelter, providing emergency accommodation and other services for adults and children escaping imminent physical danger in family violence situations. It is a 27-bed facility (5 family units, 2 singles rooms) in a safe, confidential location, built with the help of Community Development Block Grant funds in 1999. Named after Monika Voits, murdered by her husband in 1999, it provides a new beginning for victims of all ages.
Consider donating funds to any or all of these agencies as you plan your holiday giving. While items are useful, and very much appreciated, each agency struggles to stay ahead of the great need, and money is key to each of them.
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