Snowcap Community Charities
This Capstone course allowed me to reconnect with SnowCap. The goals of SnowCap include distributing donated food to 50 families per day, distributing clothing for children, showers for the homeless, and many others. The main purpose of SnowCap, which stands for “
Suburban Neighborhoods Operation Witness Community Action Program ,” is trying to discover the real needs in the area. By communicating with residents, church organizations, and community leaders, they can all cooperatively work and reach the largest number of people. Their target population is low income families in East County.
My story Effective agent of change
My motivation is sustained by each and every person I assist while at SnowCap. I am not volunteering at SnowCap for my own benefits, but it does feel amazing to make a difference in someone's life. Whether it is giving them a roll of toilet paper or giving them a grocery cart full of groceries, the impact is immeasurable.
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Not only has this course made me rediscover my want to help others, but it also helps me realize how important basic human needs are. My contribution is small, but the smiles I am given when packing someone's car full of groceries is incredible. I plan on continuing my work at SnowCap at least once a week after my minimum requirements for this course is met.
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What is snowcap?
ON THEIR WEBSITE, THEY STATE, "SNOWCAP COMMUNITY CHARITIES IS A PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATION CREATED TO PROVIDE FOOD, CLOTHING, ADVOCACY AND OTHER SERVICES TO THE POOR.”
History
SnowCap was born January 16, 1967 when 25 churches in East Multnomah County recognized the unmet need for basic life necessities within the community.
Originally, there were three centers for SnowCap. The first overall coordinator was a pastor of Epiphany Lutheran. The three centers merged in 1968 where SnowCap still operates today. SnowCap was run by solely volunteers until 1969 when a full-time director was voted in.
SnowCap continued its growing, and by 1980, 39 local churches were participating in meeting the needs of East County. They gave away $86,400 worth of food and fed 12,350 people. And by 1983, they were serving 36,000 people. As requests for help were exponentially increasing, SnowCap continued meeting those needs. In 1987, they had 145 volunteers, one full-time worker and 7 part-time workers. SnowCap covers a large boundary that includes East Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village.
Information provided from here: FAQ
Originally, there were three centers for SnowCap. The first overall coordinator was a pastor of Epiphany Lutheran. The three centers merged in 1968 where SnowCap still operates today. SnowCap was run by solely volunteers until 1969 when a full-time director was voted in.
SnowCap continued its growing, and by 1980, 39 local churches were participating in meeting the needs of East County. They gave away $86,400 worth of food and fed 12,350 people. And by 1983, they were serving 36,000 people. As requests for help were exponentially increasing, SnowCap continued meeting those needs. In 1987, they had 145 volunteers, one full-time worker and 7 part-time workers. SnowCap covers a large boundary that includes East Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village.
Information provided from here: FAQ
things to know about snowcap
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Their philosophy:
“SnowCap will cross lines of race, religion, national origin, and economic status, hoping to coordinate and act as a barometer, correcting conditions which call for improvement.” - Feed over 8,000 people per month
- Beginning April 1, 2015, SnowCap will allow up to 12 monthly visits per year instead of 6 previously - Clothes for the Whole Family - Community Basket event every 2nd Thursday of the month where everyone from the community can receive a variety of items (this does not count for a monthly visit) - Provides school supplies - Fully functional Community Garden. Low income families are welcome to use; SnowCap provides the water, space, and gardening classes |
my work with snowcap
I am extremely thankful to have contributed my time to an amazing charity. SnowCap serves 50 families a day in East County; they donate food, clothing, energy assistance, Trimet tickets, and showers . I volunteered my time in the clothing room and as a personal shopper in the food pantry. The clothing room allowed a small, medium, or large family an allocated amount of clothes [measured in pounds] that fluctuated depending on the recent donations. Within the clothing room, SnowCap also handed out diapers, infant starter kits, blankets, and sometimes hygiene products. The food pantry also allocated the amount of food by family size and recent donations. The Oregon Food Bank was a major contributor to the food pantry. SnowCap's pantry is a virtual grocery store where those can walk through and get dairy items, produce, baked goods, canned food, frozen meat, and pet food.
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reflection... what is next?
As I leave this capstone experience, I will continue my work for SnowCap once a week. I really want to contribute to increasing funds and donations with my expertise in marketing and communications. One necessity that SnowCap was lacking was the small amount of hygiene products. It was extremely difficult to tell someone that we were out of a certain item. The most asked for products were shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dish soap, feminine hygiene products, and diapers. These bare necessities were always in very low supply and we ran out about mid-day. I was to continue to effect change by not only volunteering my time with SnowCap, but also reaching out to local dentistries and local businesses.