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Food equity – Defining the problem a first step in finding the solution

By Melissa Wagoner Food is necessary for the survival of all humans but that doesn’t mean access to it is always equitable.  In fact, every month within Marion and Polk Counties more than 45,000 individuals – 15,000 of them children – rely on food assistance according to Marion Polk Food Share (MPFS), an organization of which Silverton Area Community Aid […]

30 years of service – Silverton Together to dissolve this summer

By Melissa Wagoner On July 1, 2022 Silverton Together, a beloved community institution whose mission was to strengthen and support families, facilitate community cooperation and promote health and well-being since 1993, will cease to exist. “This decision to dissolve was made after considerable board discussions over the last couple years as we responded to the federal, state and county foundation […]

Help wanted: Pandemic has put additional stress on local non-profits

By Stephen Floyd The Great Resignation has pummeled the private sector, with record numbers of employers across the country struggling to fill open positions. Local restaurants and retailers are seeking new hires, too. While societal shifts from the COVID-19 pandemic maybe partially responsible, other factors like baby boomer retirements also play a part. Volunteerism for some area nonprofits has been […]

Believing in the mission: DeSantis’ Distinguished Service award

By Melissa Wagoner It’s not every day that the employees of an organization recognize their boss for her distinguished service. But as the Silverton Chamber of Commerce began accepting nominations for the Community Awards for 2020, the staff at Silverton Area Community Aid (SACA) did precisely that, nominating their director, Sarah DeSantis, for the Distinguished Service Award. “We know when […]

Operation vaccination: Legacy invests in pop-up clinics

By Brenna Wiegand When the COVID-19 vaccine first became available in late December, Legacy Silverton Medical Center opened a clinic and started providing vaccines, first to primary care providers, then teachers. By January’s end about 5,000 people had been vaccinated at the Silverton campus. Not long after the vaccine became available to the general public, it became clear that some […]

SACA expands hours: Now offers families weekly food pantry access

By Nancy Jennings Effective April 1, Silverton Area Community Aid (SACA) began offering weekly food pantry visits rather than monthly ones – and added evening hours Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. According to SACA Communications/Events Coordinator Paul Scoville, “We went from a system where a person or family could come in for food once a month to now […]

Reasons to respond: Food bank volunteers explain why they help

By Kristine Thomas By listening, they learn. By learning, they understand. By understanding, they can share with community members what a valuable resource Silverton Area Community Aid is to the community and the people it serves. Sue Rivers is one of the many SACA volunteers who has been asked why there is a need for a food bank. The reasons […]

Fill a bag: Build community

By Kristine Thomas Silverton Area Community Aid Executive Director Teresa Warriner is excited to announce two new programs, beginning this month. 4G Community Resource Day Whether you need assistance with writing a resume, information on local nonprofits or seek to learn money-saving ways, there is one place on one day you can go in Silverton to get what you need. […]

Catch a tune: Evening of music for SACA

Fish-n-Blues SACA Benefit Wednesday, June 5, 6 to 9 p.m. Mac’s Place 201 North Water St., Silverton 503-873-2441 Performers: The A.H. FACTOR, Ron Burghard, Still Water Vibes Tickets: $10 at the door, plus a donation of commercially packaged or canned fish Call 503-845-6773 for information. By Dixon Bledsoe What do Johnny Carson, Buffy Sainte Marie, Hoyt Axton, Dolly Parton, the […]

Helping people is the priority: More than 280 sign on as nominators for Dixon Bledsoe as Silverton’s First Citizen

By Steve Ritchie  Brianna Bledsoe thought that nominating her father, Dixon, for Silverton’s First Citizen Award was a good idea. In the process of nominating her dad, a local realtor and the director of Silverton Area Community Aid, Brianna found out she wasn’t alone. “I felt he was everything a First Citizen should be,” Brianna explained. “He is really focused […]

SACA on hunger: Food drive proceeds through October

By Brenna Wiegand October food drives Volunteers will deliver empty sacks to Silverton homes Oct. 15-18 and return to collect donations Saturday, Oct. 20.Please bags on your porch by 10 a.m. Items needed included soup, peanut butter, dinner mixes, pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, personal care items, canned tuna, cereal, chili, baking items. Information: 503-873-3446; silvertonareacommunityaid.org Through Oct. 31 Silverton’s […]

Empty Bowls: Soup supper helps fill local needs

According Feeding America, one in eight Americans is struggling with hunger. To raise the awareness of hunger in the community, Silverton Area Community Aid is hosting the Empty Bowls Soup Dinner Sunday, March 7, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 303 N. Church St., Silverton.

Food drive: Need substantialy greater in ’09

The volunteers and staff at Silverton Area Community Aid are getting ready to launch the 33rd annual Food Drive. Between Oct. 12 and 16, SACA volunteers will deliver empty sacks to doorsteps and community members will be asked to fill them with nonperishable items and set them out for pick-up by 9 a.m. on Oct. 17.

New SACA director: Dixon Bledsoe leads community aid agency

Dixon Bledsoe needs to get juice, size 3-5 diapers, baby food in jars and sealable sandwich and quart-size bags. No, he’s not a new father with worries about meeting the needs of an infant. Instead, he is seeking those items for Silverton Area Community Aid because he wants to make sure the shelves are full with food and other supplies to meet the needs of its clients.

Fishing for protein

Dixon Bledsoe is trolling for protein – especially in the shape of peanut butter jars and tuna cans. He plans on donating whatever he “catches” to Silverton Area Community Aid, the nonprofit food bank that is assisting record numbers of visitors.

Spirit of giving: Charities that assist community gather financial support

Three organizations in Silverton are in the spotlight this month as they deal with the downward turn of the economy. Community contributions help support Silverton Together, the Silverton Hospital Foundation and Silverton Area Community Aid – two of them are in the midst of fundraising drives.

Dancing for food: Jazzercise instructor invites all to exercise for SACA

  By Dixon Bledsoe Where can local residents burn some serious calories before enjoying a calorie-packed Thanksgiving dinner while also doing something to benefit the local food bank? Try the 19th annual Jazzercise class from 9 to 10 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, at the Silverton Community Center, 421 S. Water St. The admission is $3 or three cans of […]

SACA nets 13,000 lbs.

SACA nets 13,000 lbs. With the help of 251 volunteers, about 13,000 pounds of food was collected during the 32nd annual Fall Food Drive to benefit Silverton Area Community Aid. From January to September, SACA has distributed about 1,552 food boxes. With the economic downturn, SACA can always use food or financial donations. Items needed include beans, pasta, cereal, canned […]

Food drive: SACA collects Oct. 19

Silverton Area Community Aid 421 S. Water St. 9 a.m. to noon Monday – Friday, except Thursdays. Fourth Tuesday of the month open 5 to 7 p.m. 503-873-3446 By Jan Jackson Once again there is a need for nonperishable food to be donated to Silverton Area Community Aid, and a hope that community members will give whatever they can to […]

‘Treats’ for SACA: Watch for SHS students

Silverton High School students trick-or-treating on Halloween night are hoping they don’t get any candy. Instead, they are setting their sights on something with a little more nutritional substance – nonperishable food such as canned fruits and vegetables, soups, beans, tomato sauce, rice and pasta. Seniors Garrison Schmidt and Christi Zollner invite high school students to meet at 5 p.m. […]