Salem-News.com Charity articles Page 17

Dash for Empty Bowls Fundraiser at Willamette Art Center

Last year, the fundraiser generated $13,600 for MPFS, $1,600 more than the previous year

(Salem, Oregon) - When the doors open to Willamette Art Center on Saturday, Nov. 20, visitors will feast their eyes upon 1,000 handmade ceramic bowls that have been prepared all year long by 24 stalwart volunteers in preparation for Empty Bowls, an annual fundraiser benefiting Marion-Polk Food Share.

“Every year we make more bowls for food share. It’s amazing,” said WAC spokesperson Karin Putnam. “We want to be involved in giving back to our community. We feel really blessed at the center.”

Medical Teams International Mobilizes Medical Volunteers to Battle Spreading Cholera

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Hurricane Tomas dumped several inches of rain on Haiti. "Haiti is under water," reported Ted Steinhauer, Medical Teams International country director.

The resulting flooding is spreading cholera in areas in northwest Haiti once thought to be under control. Officials reported 550 new cases of cholera.

Santiam Bicycle, Venti`s Cafe to Host Cranksgiving Event

(SALEM, Oregon) - Avid bicyclist Cory Heintz is partnering with Santiam Bicycle and Venti’s Café to organize what may be Salem’s first Cranksgiving food drive on Saturday, Nov. 13. The event will benefit Marion-Polk Food Share.

“It’s a good time for a good cause,” said Heintz, who first participated in a Cranksgiving ride when he lived in Des Moines, Iowa. Apparently, the event originated in New York City in 1999.

21st Annual Angel Tree Opportunity-YWCA Salem

(SALEM, Ore.) - Monday kicks off the YWCA Salem Resource Assistance Program’s 21st annual Angel Tree Opportunity. Last year the Angel Tree helped over 85 households to fully celebrate the holiday season.

Through the kindness and generosity of members of our community 85 angels were collected from the decorated tree in the lobby of the YWCA Salem. Each angel represented a need of a child or an adult and was filled and returned to the YWCA Salem.

Road to Hope (R2H) Convoy in Positive Dialogue with Egyptian Officials

Access to Gaza via Egypt looking likely...

(TOBRUK) - Arriving at the Libyan/Egyptian border on several days ago, the Road to Hope Convoy continues to wait at the border.

However, over the last two days increasingly positive communications with Egyptian officials gives us reason to be optimistic and the final manifest of vehicles and convoy members has been requested and received by the Egyptian Government in Cairo. We now await final approval.

Road to Hope Convoy Stalled at Egyptian Border

“Now we find ourselves in our third day at the Libyan / Egyptian border and we remain hopeful that the land route will be opened to us in the coming days” -Ken O’Keefe

(TOBRUK) - The Road to Hope humanitarian aid convoy continues its role in the international community’s collective mission to break the illegal siege of Gaza and deliver desperately needed aid to the people of Palestine in Gaza.

The convoy comprises 30 vehicles and 101 humanitarian aid workers.

Siletz Tribe Funds to Aid Local Emergency Food Agencies

(SALEM, Ore.) - Five nonprofit partners that provide food and shelter to needy people in Marion County will benefit from a $4,831 grant for equipment from Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund. Marion-Polk Food Share will accept the grant in a distribution ceremony on Nov. 5 at Chinook Winds Hotel in Lincoln City.

As the regional food bank, MPFS provides capacity building support as well as food supplies to its 87 member charities throughout Marion and Polk counties. The grant request made by MPFS on behalf of its network partners will benefit two Salem shelters, Salem Outreach Shelter/YWCA, Stepping Out Ministries; one in Mt. Angel, St. Joseph Shelter; three Forever Homes (one in Keizer and two in Salem) operated by Catholic Community Services; and Sacred Heart Food Bank in Gervais.

Charitable Biker Event Incites `Criminal Profiling` from Police

Profiling can happen in any community and is based upon the biases of local law enforcement. Such is the situation that occurred in our little town on Saturday, Oct. 23.

(CORVALLIS, Ore.) - Some would say that profiling is not common in our little neck of the woods, but others would suggest that it occurs every day.

Road to Hope Convoy with Ken O`Keefe Approaching Gaza

More help for the people of Gaza, as long as the convoy clears the Rafah border.

(SALEM ) - People concerned for the well being of Gaza's 1.5 million residents, set out on the 'Road to Hope Convoy' from London and are presently in Libia.

They have made good progress so far; at last count the overland convoy that set out from Europe was making its way through Libya.

Soles4Souls Announces Completion of First Haiti Housing Project

Soles4Souls has provided sustained relief to Haiti since the earthquake in January, including distributing more than 1 million pairs of shoes to the victims.

(NASHVILLE, Tn.) - Soles4Souls Inc., the international shoe charity dedicated to providing shoes to people in need, announced this morning it has finished construction on its first housing project in Haiti.