How to help Coast Guard units in Oregon
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know that the ramifications to people affected by the partial government shutdown are beginning to grow.
One group that is affected is the United States Coast Guard.
Many members of the Coast Guard are obligated to serve even without pay and that is the position they are in right now. This means that a good number of families stationed in the 11 units on the Oregon Coast and on Swan Island in Portland did not receive their paychecks this week but are still working on our behalf. These are families that are typically stationed far away from their own support system and are probably not accustomed to seeking out help.
One tangible way we can help these families out is to provide food. I have a strong, personal connection with the folks at AMEN Ministries who regularly provides food boxes and other assistance to soldiers, airmen, and sailors throughout Oregon.
The folks at AMEN have contacted the 11 Coast Guard units in Oregon to see if their families affected by the shutdown need assistance. At this point, a handful of units have responded with a resounding YES and have requested a total of 130 240 food boxes.
This represents a significant need on a group that already delivers 170 food boxes a month to military families stationed in Oregon.
So, HOW CAN YOU HELP?
AMEN needs donations to fill the additional boxes that will be distributed to Coast Guard units in Oregon and they need the help QUICKLY.
You can help fill this need three ways:
1. Personally donate non-perishable food and disposable household items to AMEN
2. Organize a pop-up food drive in your school, church, or other group
3. Donate funds to help AMEN purchase food. Every single dollar donated to AMEN goes to purchase food and supplies as their organization is 100% run by volunteers (hooray for no overhead!) and is tax deductible. Each food box costs $20-$25. You can donate through AMEN’s PayPal link or by mailing a check to: AMEN, PO Box 1923, Clackamas, OR 97015.
We currently have three locations accepting donations through at least the end of January:
Damascus Community Church
14251 SE Rust Way
Damascus, Oregon 97089
Anytime Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
*You’ll have to be buzzed in. Leave your donation to the left of the front doors under the window in the foyer. The staff can also help you out.
New Seasons Market in Happy Valley
15861 SE Happy Valley Town Center
Happy Valley, OR 97086
AMEN’s warehouse in Clackamas
16569 SE 115th
Clackamas, OR
Tuesdays, 9 am – 12 pm
If you would like to volunteer as a drop-point, I would LOVE to add you to our list (your home or a business). We clearly need some options on the westside and in Portland. The AMEN guys will gladly come by regularly to get your donations.
If you decide to host a food drive, you can coordinate with AMEN to come pick up your donations at a time convenient to you or you can bring everything to the warehouse in Clackamas. Email me and I’ll connect you to make arrangements.
I know a bunch of you are super busy, so just know that you can provide one food box with a $25 donation. Easy peesy. The AMEN team will do all the work and ALL $25 goes to buying food.
(This group is run almost exclusively by retired guys with an enormous passion for serving and supporting military and retired military families stationed in Oregon. They are some of my all-time favorites.)
UPDATE: AMEN is scheduled to start delivering the requested boxes to three units on Swan Island (Portland), four units in Astoria, and additional units in Garibaldi and Depot Bay THIS WEEK and then they will hit units in Southern Oregon in a bit. I tell you, these guys move FAST.
AMEN has already received $360 from all of you and they are placing some big grocery orders to fill these boxes. Sending $25 to AMEN is the most efficient way to help out at this point.
Best news? Coast Guard units in Newport and Florence don’t need any assistance as their communities are overwhelmingly meeting their unit’s needs.
Any donations (food or cash) that go above and beyond meeting the Coast Guard unit requests will be used to continue to provide food boxes and financial assistance to soldiers, airmen, and sailors throughout Oregon.
If you live on the Oregon coast, I encourage you to donate directly to your local food bank as I’m sure Coast Guard families will be using their services, especially if the shutdown continues.
If you are a federal employee or someone affected by the shutdown and need food assistance to reduce some the burden on your family’s budget, please go HERE to find a food bank near you.
Please email me with any questions or if you need direction on how to help more — angela@frugallivingnw.com
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