Clatsop food bank receives $40,000 grant from The Oregon Community Foundation

Published 5:00 pm Monday, June 21, 2010

“Great news!”?was how Marlin Martin greeted the announcement of a big influx of money to the North Coast.

Martin is food program developer at the Clatsop Community Action Regional Food Bank.

His agency has just learned it is the recipient of a $40,000 grant from The Oregon Community Foundation for the purchase of equipment needed for outfitting and operation of the new Community Action Regional Food Bank, scheduled to open by late summer.

Martin said the grant takes another bite out of the $488,000 shortfall for the project. Fundraisers will continue until the final goal of paying for the much-needed facility is accomplished, he said.

Community Action’s mission is to help people meet housing, food and other basic living needs. “The current distribution of emergency food in Clatsop County continues to increase, with little relief in sight,”?Martin said.

The mission of the Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy, working with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about. Through these funds, awards of more than $60 million annually in grants and scholarships are given.

The foundation makes grants through an application process that involves local citizens in the review and evaluation of requests for funds. Application materials are available through the foundation’s Portland office. Individuals or businesses interested in establishing a fund may contact the Portland office at 1221 S.W. Yamhill St., Suite 100, Portland OR 97205 or by calling (503) 227-6846.