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Economic uncertainty drives need for services, support during holidays, every day
- Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions
- Nov 25
- 15 min read
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.
By DAVID DUDLEY
Service providers who work with homeless people in Central Oregon stand at a crossroads, and the number of organizations dedicated to serving those in need has increased to meet rising demand for services.
While specific numbers are hard to come by, several nonprofit leaders told FORJournalism that interagency collaboration has increased as organizations seek to expand their reach and the number of people they serve.
"We're only recently coming out of church basements and professionalizing as a field, especially here in Central Oregon," said Colleen Sinsky, executive director of Fuse Housing Collaborative. "Our sector has been asked to rise to a significant challenge, and the funding being invested in homelessness and permanent supportive housing hardly existed until more recently."
At the same time, challenges are multiplying due to economic factors at the local and national level. The effects of deep cuts to assistance programs, including food, housing and health care, at the federal level are impacting communities throughout the country. Oregon is one of 22 states that are currently in a recession, according to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's.
As costs remain high, and record layoffs hit the national labor market in October, low- and middle-income Americans are spending less because they're strapped for cash, creating a widening gap between needs and donations.
With the holiday season approaching, service providers and advocates are seeking volunteers and donors to help the most vulnerable Oregonians amid economic headwinds. Whether you're looking to help, or you're seeking help, the following list of opportunities is for you.
Bend First United Methodist Church
Also known as Bend Church, this organization has been around for more than a century.
"Our United Methodist Book of Discipline calls for us to live our faith by outreach, engage in community building, advocate for social justice, and to serve the needs of the poor and marginalized," said Chuck Hemingway, who has volunteered with Bend Church since 2001. "That was back when Bethlehem Inn operated only during the winter season, moving from church to church."
Hemingway said that members of Bend Church obtained grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to open the first outdoor emergency shelter in Bend, which led to the launch of Central Oregon Villages (COV). Today, COV operates 32 units of emergency outdoor shelter and safe parking in the city, including one safe parking site on the church’s parking lot.
Bend Church's two most popular programs are the Lisa Radford Compassionate Care Fund, and the Open Door Ministries mail program.
"Lisa Radford was a member of our church," said Hemingway. "She decided to organize an assistance effort and set up one day each week when members of the community could come to the church and get financial help."
The Fund helps 20 to 30 recipients each week to meet financial needs like phone bills, gas cards, utility bills, storage fees, car repairs, emergency motel stays and many more. The funds come from donations left on the church altar on Communion Sundays, as well as other contributions from the community.
"When Lisa passed away from cancer about 10 years ago, other church volunteers took up the ministry and named it after her," Hemingway said.
"The mail program grew out of a weekly breakfast called the Back Door Café. Within a few years, those who attended the breakfast could also get clothing, showers, haircuts, pet care, groceries and hygiene items," Hemingway said. "And, we gave those living on the street with no fixed address the option to have their mail sent to the church, where once a week during the Wednesday breakfast they could pick up their mail."
The mail program has expanded since the COVID pandemic to five days a week, from 1 to 3 p.m. More than 200 people use the service.
But, Hemingway added, the need for help has outpaced the church's capacity.
"The number of those needing any sort of help has simply overwhelmed the amount of donations the congregation is able to make to operate these ministries and meet the needs of those who come seeking help," Hemingway said.
Financial donations are most needed. They also need canned goods, shelf-stable items, mens boxer briefs, socks, gloves, sleeping bags, tents, tarps and similar items.
Interested parties can send financial donations to: Bend Church, 680 NW Bond, Bend, OR 97703, attention to either Compassionate Care Fund or Open Door Ministries.
You can also give online at https://bendumc.org/give.
Bethlehem Inn
Bethlehem Inn began in 1999 through collaborations with church leaders who were willing to open their doors to offer overnight shelter to homeless people. Since then, the organization has grown to offer services, which include a shelter in Bend, and a community housing program in Redmond. Combined, they serve more than 200 people per night.
Michael Hancock, Bethlehem Inn's executive director, said he's seen significant decreases in recent months of food donations and monetary support.
"In comparison to this time last year and the year prior, Bethlehem Inn has seen a reduction of donations year over year," he said. "Though the overall budget has shown less swings in donation trends, that has been the result of a smaller number of donors making outsized gifts."
Hancock added that, because Bethlehem Inn provides services to the community and its most vulnerable citizens, increased fee-for-service contracts and funding support from local and state sources would allow the organization to operate with increased confidence.
"Bethlehem Inn has an amazing group of dedicated volunteers who cook and serve meals, manage the front desk, organize in-kind donations, and much more," he said. "We're always looking for more individuals who are willing to give their time and energy in support of our mission."
Bethlehem Inn keeps an updated list of needs on its website. Interested parties can also call (541) 322-8768 to learn more.
Central Oregon Homelessness Alliance
The Central Oregon Homelessness Alliance (COHA) launched a year ago. A small group of volunteers with deep experience helping homeless people, COHA provides community education about homelessness, advocates for the unhoused with public agencies, and acts as a clearinghouse for service organizations to find assistance or funds that are outside of their area of support.
Lynd Wieman, one of the five founding members, said his team is organizing COHA's second annual education forum. The forum will be held at the Westside Church on Feb. 26, 2026.
"We'll introduce the community to experts who will talk about the causes, challenges and solutions to homelessness," Wieman told FORJournalism. "We'll also have several homeless people who will describe their experiences, and service organizations who will meet with the public and their peers to foster collaboration."
Additionally, COHA provides funds for individual needs identified by outreach workers that cannot be filled by other service organizations.
"Think tires for a family's car, a refrigerator that can be used in a camp to keep medicine chilled," Wieman said. "Our work becomes increasingly difficult when homeless campers get evicted and moved around. We lose contact with clients, which makes it harder to deliver the services they need, when their lives are disrupted by sweeps."
Wieman added that COHA began as a collaboration between three separate church groups. They're seeking to partner with other churches, businesses, and other organizations. Wieman is especially interested in learning about grant funding opportunities.
Those interested in getting involved, donating, or attending the education forum in February may find more information at COHomelessnessAlliance.org.
Donations made via check may be mailed to: Central Oregon Homelessness Alliance, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend, OR, 97703.
Council on Aging of Central Oregon
The Council on Aging of Central Oregon has been in operation for 50 years. As the name suggests, their mission is to ensure that aging Oregonians can access the support, services and resources they need to navigate the challenges that come with aging. They serve older Oregonians who are housed and unhoused.
Communications Director Emma Fried-Cassoria has worked with the organization for more than 10 years. She said that there are several ways to help.
"We offer a Community Dining program in Bend and Sisters," Fried-Cassoria said. "And we deliver meals to several communities around Central Oregon. We can always use help in the kitchen, prep and set-up, among other tasks."
Days and hours for Community Dining vary depending upon the setting. They serve lunches in Bend on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 1 pm.
Fried-Cassoria said her colleagues are keen to find volunteers for Caring Connections, a program that pairs volunteers with older adults. Volunteers agree to call participants at least once a week, and they visit them in person once a month.
They also offer services to seniors with pets through their Pet Pals program, which provides free pet food, supplies, and veterinary care to Meals on Wheels clients in Bend, La Pine, Madras, Prineville, and Sisters. Fried-Cassoria said Pet Pals currently serves 163 clients with 242 pets, ranging from dogs and kittens to a cockatiel.
There's a greater need for volunteers in rural communities like Madras, Prineville and La Pine, Fried-Cassoria said. Those interested will find information here.
Jericho Road
Jericho Road, Inc. was launched in 2007. In addition to housing assistance, the Redmond-based organization also offers emergency assistance for unhoused people, including tents and sleeping bags, clothing, propane, heaters and water jugs. They also offer free hot meals on weekdays, and backpacks full of food for students to take home during weekends.
Bob Bohac has volunteered for Jericho Road for more than a decade. He encouraged those who wish to volunteer to look into different organizations to ensure that the potential volunteer's skills and the organization's needs align.
"We can always use volunteers to help set up, serve and clean for the meal program," he said. "But they should have some degree of comfort interacting with unhoused people, most of whom have suffered some kind of trauma."
Likewise, for those who wish to donate, Bohac suggested checking with the organization to see what's needed.
"We can almost always use food, clothing and financial donations," he said. "For food, we need things that can be used to prepare community meals for the holidays. We can use winter clothing."
Bohac said that those interested in volunteering or donating may call Jericho Road at (541) 699-2099.
Mosaic Community Health
Mosaic Community Health opened its doors in 2002. Today, more than 450 staff serve over 34,000 clients throughout Central Oregon. They provide care in clinics throughout the region.
"Our vision is a healthy, thriving community for everyone," said Elaine Knobbs-Seasholtz, Mosaic's chief strategy officer. "Our mission is to provide trusted quality care, with compassion and support for all, regardless of their life circumstances."
Mosaic offers an array of services, including medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy (clinical and retail), nutrition, social needs, language access, insurance enrollment, patient education and medication-assisted treatment.
They also meet people where they are through the Mobile Clinic, a 42-foot RV, and a street medicine team. The latter, a collaboration with the Deschutes County Harm Reduction Program, launched in 2023.
Knobbs-Seasholtz said that shifting local and state policies around homelessness often result in displacement among Mosaic's unhoused clients, which presents ongoing challenges to establishing and maintaining care.
"The significant increase in houselessness on a regional level, coupled with a growing recognition of the importance of providing medical care to individuals in place, has helped build awareness and develop support for our street medicine work," she said.
Community donations help fund and expand Mosaic programs, like their street medicine and mobile teams. Additionally, they always welcome donations from their Amazon Wishlist.
"It's updated seasonally, and items can be ordered year-round," said Knobbs-Seasholtz. "Wishlist items help us supply patients with hygiene and baby care items, gloves, socks, tarps, heaters, sunblock, hand warmers, water and more. These little things are BIG things for many individuals and families, and any gift made today improves the health of our community."
Learn about more ways to support Mosaic on its website: mosaicch.org/support-us/ways-to-give.
Mountain View Community Development
The Mountain View Fellowship launched its first winter shelter in Redmond in December 2016. Since then, they've expanded their efforts to include several Safe Parking sites in Redmond and Bend, offering 38 spaces in the former, and 18 newly available spaces in the latter, under the Mountain View Community Development umbrella. They're also working on a 75-unit permanent supportive housing village in Redmond.
"Our aim has always been to empower homeless people and to help them find wholeness again," said Teresa Jackson, development manager at Mountain View Community Development. "We provide a safe place for people to work on their housing goals with a case manager and peer support specialist."
Jackson said they're seeking volunteers to help paint microshelters, and they can almost always use some help with their shower and laundry services. Those interested in volunteering may find information at mvcdoregon.org.
"But we especially need help to fill funding gaps for our Safe Parking programs," she said. "We're trying to raise $133,500 to fund Safe Parking and Microshelter programs to continue providing these services at our current levels."
Those interested in donating may do so at mvcdoregon.org/support.
NeighborImpact
NeighborImpact was founded in 1985. The organization offers assistance to economically disadvantaged Oregonians in Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties, as well as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
Carly Auten is the manager of NeighborImpact's food program. She stood in her organization's warehouse in Redmond a few days before the SNAP pause was set to go into effect nationwide on Nov. 1.
Surrounded by pallets of produce, canned goods, and snacks of all kinds and facing an unprecedented crisis, Auten said it was quieter than normal.
"This is the calm before the storm," she said. "What we've got here won't last a week."
Though Gov. Tina Kotek approved $5 million in emergency funding to help foodbanks across the state as the SNAP pause loomed, Auten said Central Oregon alone faced a $7 million shortfall.
"But things are changing each hour," she said, as she alternated between bracing for the worst, and relaxing just enough to function. "Foodbanks are not designed to backfill SNAP. We're expecting a 40% increase in demand. If that happens, it could push us over the edge."
Auten said NeighborImpact is always seeking volunteers and donations. Those interested in donating can visit their online food drive, which can be found on the organization’s website.
"We have more purchasing power when donors go through that site," Auten said, "because we buy wholesale. It stretches each dollar by three times."
Auten said those who have more time than money may also volunteer for several different programs. That includes the mobile pantry, which brings food to communities throughout Central Oregon, facility maintenance, and home delivery for clients who face mobility challenges, among others.
"We can't do it all," said Auten. "But every one of us can do something."
Oasis Village
Oasis Village, a low-barrier transitional shelter, opened in January 2024. Selected participants may stay at the shelter for up to 24 months, while they seek services along the way to finding long-term housing. Those services include case management, mentoring, life skills education and support, financial assistance to support housing goals, and connecting with community resources.
Oasis Village's executive director, Josie Anders-Mize, said her staff's trauma-informed, housing-first model is designed to remove barriers for people to access their shelter by accommodating pets, not requiring sobriety or drug testing as a condition to enter the shelter, and not requiring background checks.
"We provide individuals a safe, warm place to stay while they work to rebuild their path forward," said Anders-Mize. "Participants enjoy community activities, meals together and working with our team to develop goals."
To date, Oasis Village has served 48 individuals. Sustainable funding for general operations, and an ongoing lack of affordable housing options for participants to move into after they complete their program, top their list of challenges.
Potential volunteers and those wishing to donate funds can do so by visiting the Oasis Village website at oasisvillageor.org.
Shepherd's House Ministries
Shepherd's House Ministries was founded in Bend in 2007. They went from collaborating on a winter shelter with Rick Russell and the Mountain View Fellowship, to offering a robust array of services for unhoused people and those experiencing hardships throughout Central Oregon.
Today, Shepherd's House Ministries operates several shelters, including the Lighthouse Navigation Center, a 100-bed low barrier shelter in Bend, and a 24/7/365 shelter in Redmond, and Cleveland Commons, the first permanent supportive housing facility east of the Cascade Mountains.
Shepherd's house staff and volunteers travel to meet unhoused people where they are via the SHARE van, which delivers food and supplies to those living on the streets, in forests and deserts. They also send a shower truck to various sites.
Curt Floski joined the organization more than 15 years ago. He said that, throughout the years, Shepherd's House Ministries has expanded its reach into almost every aspect of the continuum of care. But the list of challenges is growing faster than solutions.
"The USDA cuts led to a 17% reduction in food donations for us," Floski said. "But it translates to a 30% financial impact, because we have had to turn around and buy some of those items—staples like milk and cheese and meat—that would have been donated.
"At the same time," Floski added, "we're seeing a 50% increase in the number of people coming in looking for food, due to the SNAP pause."
Because of those factors, Floski said Shepherd's House Ministries must rely more on donors and volunteers.
Volunteers can find information at shepherdshouseministries.org/volunteer/. They may also reach out to volunteer manager Laurel Waring via email or phone (541) 388-2096 ext. 215.
Those who wish to donate food may do so at the Redmond shelter, which is situated at 1350 S. Highway 97, the Lighthouse Navigation Center, 275 NE 2nd St. in Bend, or 1854 NE Division, in Bend.
Financial donations may be made online at shepherdshouseministries.org/donate/.
Other ways to help
Several unhoused people we've interviewed over the past year exemplified the ethos of helping one another through tough times. They've also shown that even small acts of kindness can have deep impacts.
J.R. Montgomery lives in one of the cabins run by Central Oregon villages.
"I wake up every day, and I thank God," Montgomery said. "Then, I go out into the world to try and do good things."
He said that he shops at thrift stores and yard sales to find cheap clothing and gear, like backpacks and sleeping bags, to give to those who need them most.
Todd Walters, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, who was staying at the Lighthouse Navigation Center in September, helped feed and build community there by cooking for his fellow shelter dwellers.
"When I grill my own food, I offer it to anybody that's hungry," he said. "If they want to bring their own food, I'll cook it. Sharing food with each other reminds us that we're human."
And Trevor Duncan, who went from signing at the Safeway on NE 3rd Street in Bend, to landing his own apartment at Cleveland Commons, wishes people would refrain from judging homeless people without knowing their struggles.
"The Bible says 'judge not lest ye be judged,'" he said. "I pray for those that judge. I pray they don't wind up like me."
Homelessness: Real Stories, Real Solutions (realstoriesrealsolutions.org) is a journalism lab funded by Central Oregon Health Council under FORJournalism (forjournalism.org), an Oregon nonprofit dedicated to supporting journalism statewide. Sign up for weekly newsletters to receive updates.
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