ORCCA: Feed • House • Warm • Educate

Working to end homelessness in Coos County took a big step forward recently, as the Governance Committee of the 10-Year-Plan-To-End-Homelessness officially adopted the plan and goals outlined by the community and committee members.  The official plan, “When We All Have Homes,” can be seen on the Oregon Coast Community Action website – www.orcca.us.

Coos Bay store will donate all food collected to South Coast Food Share

Beginning this week the Coos Bay Wal-Mart Super Center will collect cans or boxed food items for South Coast Food Share in a statewide food drive competition against other Oregon Wal-Mart stores.  All food collected will go to feed hungry families and support the local communities that Wal-Mart calls home throughout Oregon.  This food drive is part of Wal-Mart’s commitment to feeding the hungry and the community is encouraged to join store employees in donating for hungry on the South Coast.

Stand up for children on April 18 in honor of Child Abuse Awareness Month

In recognition of April as Child Abuse Awareness Month, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Coos County program will host its annual Lights of Hope candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Coos Bay Boardwalk.

Due to a partnership between Umpqua Bank, the Pony Village Mall Cinema and Oregon Coast Community Action, seniors and those 50 years or older now have a chance to feed the hungry and see a first-run movie all at the same time. Umpqua Bank’s Club Care Free 50 will be hosting a free movie showing at the Pony Village Mall Cinema once a month through the rest of the year and will collect food items for the regional food bank, South Coast Food Share – a program of Oregon Coast Community Action.

Coquille, OR.     In January 2008, Coos County claimed 389 of its children were wards of the court due to child abuse and neglect. That number of children could fill ten classrooms.  Many of these children were removed from their homes and placed with foster parents who will try to give these young victims stability and nurturance.  Unfortunately, some have been in foster care for years with no hope of ever having a family of their own.  Others suffered permanent emotional damage and require placement in institutions throughout Oregon.  Their futures are grim.  Some of these children will return home to their families this year, because their parents have recognized the problems that were present and are diligently working to overcome them.  Sadly, the methamphetamine epidemic in Coos County will destroy that opportunity for other kids.  These boys and girls will languish in foster care for at least two years before the legal system terminates their parents’ rights and frees them to be adopted. 

Marshfield students help prepare for toy sale

Come support children in need in Coos County and buy puzzles, books, stuffed bunnies and bears and much more for low prices at the Toy Tales Easter Sale, on Friday-Sunday, April 3-5, at the Pony Village Mall.  Choose toys for your Spring baskets that range in price from 25-cents to $10, and all proceeds will go to support vulnerable children in our community.