Meeting Community Needs

Oregon has one of the largest homeless communities in the entire nation, and the city of Portland is definitely not exempt from this unfortunate fact. Despite several different organizations in the area offering assistance of many kinds to the homeless community, the problem still persists. Looking outside of the larger Portland metro area, the issue of homelessness still impacts many of the smaller towns and cities throughout the state. One of these cities, however, has been making an admirable effort to help provide necessities fort their community in order to prevent issues like homelessness from becoming a predominant trait of their town.



For the last ten years, the small community of Cottage Grove, Oregon has held it's annual Party in the Park right in the middle of their downtown. Each year, members of the community donate items such as backpacks filled with school supplies, food, and clothing, to give away to those in need. Some small businesses also contribute services like free haircuts. Although the event is geared towards helping families with kids, it is open to all and everything is free of charge.



Providing what some of us may consider the smallest things can sometimes be the one thing that a family needs to make sure they make ends meet. Whether it's school supplies that no longer have to be purchased, or a simple meal when grocery shopping just isn't an option, all of these things matter to one person or another. The city of Portland may even be able to learn something from this small town, even though there are several smaller opportunities that are open to people in need in this enormous city, it might be beneficial to see larger events that are geared towards providing for the different communities in and around Portland. What kind of effect would a Party in the Park have in your own community? Consider the opportunity that larger events like this provide for those that might not feel like they can ask for help, but might feel more comfortable attending a community event. Every community has needs, let's meet them together.



The links provided contain more information about the Cottage Grove Party in the Park, as well as the Oregon Food Bank, and Sunshine Division, two great places to donate food and clothing so that those that need it but may not be able to afford it can have peace of mind.


More Info:

Party in the Park
https://www.facebook.com/events/coiner-parkcottage-grove-oregon/cg-party-in-the-park-2019/2234963113500941/

https://www.facebook.com/partynthepark/


Oregon Food Bank:
https://www.oregonfoodbank.org/


Sunshine Division:
https://sunshinedivision.org/