Pacific Power Foundation announces grants to support North Coast safety, health and wellness programs

Across the West, local organizations are caring for their most vulnerable neighbors and working to create safe, supportive, healthy communities where everyone can thrive. To help them turn their aspirations into reality, the Pacific Power Foundation is donating $245,000 in new grant funding throughout Oregon, Washington and Northern California.

The grants will fund a diverse range of programs, including many that provide meals for those facing food insecurity, offer shelter for those who are unhoused or facilitate healthcare for underserved communities. There are projects to increase public safety and services for teenagers, families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and victims of child abuse and domestic violence.

"These local organizations are doing critical work that uplifts all of us,” said Ryan Flynn, director, Pacific Power Foundation. “This funding by the foundation will help amplify their efforts to support our neighbors and improve the day-to-day lives of people in all parts of our communities.”

Safety and wellness grants are made through one of four grant cycles offered by the Pacific Power Foundation each year. The foundation assists a diverse variety of organizations in the communities that Pacific Power serves.

The following six grants, totaling $10,300, were given to local nonprofits supporting North Coast communities:

Astoria School District to create a fund for children of migrants to receive individual and group therapy sessions at school and telehealth therapy.

City of Astoria Parks and Recreation to supplement installation of playground equipment in conjunction with planned improvements at Fred Lindstrom Park.

North Coast Food Web to purchase food from local producers for the launch of a new micro-retail project that will expand existing online farmers market programming to increase community members’ access to affordable food and provide farmers with new opportunities for in-person product sales.

Reborn Bikes for support of three school and neighborhood-wide bicycle festivals offering safety and clinic stations, bike fitting, group ride fun, instruction and a no-cost giveaway bicycle package to families in need.

Sunset Park and Recreation Foundation for the addition of stage curtains to improve the stage area in the recreation center's 1950s-era main gym and to create a performance space for the local community.

Westwind Stewardship Group for a project to prepare the site and handle emergencies in the remote campground, a high-risk area for wildfires, tsunamis and other natural disasters. Grant funds will be used to purchase "go-bags" for each cabin at Westwind and equip them with supplies to be quickly accessed in case of an emergency.

About the Pacific Power Foundation:

The Pacific Power Foundation is part of the PacifiCorp Foundation, one of the largest utility-endowed foundations in the United States. The foundation was created by PacifiCorp, an energy company that serves over 2 million customers across a diverse six-state region in the West as Pacific Power (Oregon, Washington and California) and Rocky Mountain Power (Utah, Wyoming and Idaho). The foundation’s mission, through charitable investments, is to support the growth and vitality of the communities served by Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power. Since it started in 1988, the PacifiCorp Foundation has awarded more than $60 million to nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net/foundation .