Central Oregonian - October 14, 2026 By Jason Chaney
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Crook County is facing financial challenges as it tries to keep up with growing demand in the community.
During the past few months, due to various economic forces nationwide, more people have turned to the nonprofit for help with food insecurity, electricity and propane needs, utility expenses, housing emergencies and more.
Typically, St. Vincent has had enough financial resources to meet whatever needs arise in the community, but the demand has risen dramatically while donations have declined.
“The last two days of September, we had 15 new people sign up for supplementary food boxes – in a week, it’s usually one, maybe two,” Rita Malone, the local St. Vincent president, offered as an example. “With that, a lot of times, comes the need for other services.”
Consequently, the organization plans to boost its donation base and raise awareness of what St. Vincent offers and what funds it needs to enable them to provide those services. This will be particularly crucial in the upcoming months.
“When we look at who our guests are, we realize, especially in the winter months, there is a higher need for electricity or things that they might need to be sustainable for them and their families,” explained St. Vincent’s co-treasurer Trina Koontz. “Right now, our funds are going lower and lower, and their needs are becoming greater and greater.”
Traditionally, St. Vincent has relied on local food drives and has sought grants to bring in the funds to serve people in need. Now, it will also turn to fundraisers. That effort has started with the organization sending a letter to prior donors, asking for their financial support.
“Almost 3,000 people in our community live below the poverty line,” Malone wrote in the recently distributed letter. It went on to say that St. Vincent is currently “seeking help from sources within our community to continue our mission.” The letter concludes with several ways in which its recipients can donate.
Malone added that this effort and future to-be-determined fundraisers also shine a brighter light on what St. Vincent does and the resources it needs.