Community Relief Fund
People Are Still Struggling. You Can Help.
Thousands of families in the Portland/Vancouver metro area need help with basics like food, rent and utilities. You can help.
By donating to the United Way Community Relief Fund, 100% of your donation goes to help people right here in our four-county area, thanks to Cornerstone Partners. This is your chance to make a real difference in people's lives.
Donate now to the Community Relief Fund.
What is the Community Relief Fund?
It's a collective effort of area funders administered through United Way. Donations are distributed to The Oregon Food Bank and community action programs in all four counties, as well as to selected faith-based agencies serving specific populations. Dollars are used to distribute food and to assist people with paying for rent and utilities. Watch the video to learn more.
How Your Donation Has Helped
Karen and Matt's Story
Karen and Matt are a couple with a newborn child. Matt was suddenly laid off from his job and the family had no savings to prepare for the loss of income. They connected with a Community Relief Fund program which paid for two months of rent and helped them get back on their feet.
The program staff also helped them get unemployment insurance and food stamps and worked with them to set a budget. The family is now up to date on their rent and managing their income, thanks to the United Way Community Relief Fund.
Community Relief Fund Results
As of November 2011, funds distributed to community action programs have helped 64,340 people in the four-county area (21,462 households). The average amount of assistance through the Community Relief Fund (CRF) with utilities was $245, while the average amount of rent assistance to each household was $727. In total, 2,506 households (7,463 individuals) avoided eviction because they received rent or mortgage assistance.
About 3,309 families (1,071 individuals) kept the lights on because they got help paying their utility bills. 1,176 people were able to stay healthy because they received assistance paying for prescriptions. Some 16,781 households (52,392 adults and kids) received food assistance.
Clackamas County
2,733 households (total 8,360 individuals) received assistance
- 236 households (737 individuals) received rent or mortgage assistance
- 2,466 households (7,535 individuals) received food assistance
Clark County
4,948 households (16,028 individuals) received assistance
- 617 households (2,005 individuals) avoided eviction
- 460 households (1,522 individuals) got help with utility bills
- 262 households (332 individuals) received prescription assistance
- 3,609 households (12,169 individuals) accessed emergency food
Multnomah County
9,769 households (28,433 individuals) received assistance
- 913 households (2,632 individuals) avoided eviction
- 522 households (1,569 individuals) got help with utility bills
- 592 individuals got help with prescriptions
- 7,743 households (23,640 individuals) received emergency food
Washington County
4,012 households (11,520 individuals) received assistance
- 740 households (2,089 individuals) received rent/mortgage assistance
- 251 individuals got help paying for prescriptions
- 2,963 households (9,049 individuals) accessed emergency food
Need Assistance?
If you need help with emergency food, rent, utilities, or medicine, call 2-1-1 on any phone to talk for free to an information referral specialist who can help connect you to available services or visit 211info.org.