Bend United Methodist Church's volunteer-run mail program offers a crucial service for those who lack a fixed address

Service organizations dedicated to helping vulnerable Central Oregonians are facing mounting economic challenges as federal, state and local funding dries up. At the same time, the cost-of-living crisis continues to spiral, driving the demand for services.

Trish Gaut is one of more than 7 million grandparents in the U.S. who have become full-time caregivers amid spiraling cost of living, mental health crises. An informal guardianship agreement prevented her from getting the assistance she needed to get out of the woods. Social stigma almost kept her there.