Donations of new or lightly used household items now being accepted
Springfield, Ore. — Sept. 30, 2020 — The Arc Lane County, working in collaboration with FOOD for Lane County and the Community Alliance for Lane County, will open CARES (Community Allies Resources for Eugene Springfield) on Tuesday, October 6 to benefit local families.
CARES will provide food, over-the-counter medication, personal hygiene products, home goods and school supplies to families and people in need living in either Eugene or Springfield. CARES will also have resource specialists on site who can help connect people with other resources in the community, such as housing and transportation.
“CARES is a natural extension of The Arc’s mission of helping people in our community who experience disabilities. Not only will CARES provide resources to people who experience disabilities, but it will also serve the greater community, including those who do not have disabilities,” says Pam Ring, executive director of The Arc Lane County. “With the global pandemic and wildfires affecting so many, CARES is a wonderful way for The Arc Lane County to reciprocate and help our greater community.”
CARES will be staffed by The Arc community navigators who are very knowledgeable about local resources and who can connect people with the goods and services they may need. People in The Arc’s EmployAbility program will help with organization and distribution of items, allowing people who experience disabilities to learn workplace skills.
CARES will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting Tuesday, October 6.
All food distributed through CARES will be provided by FOOD for Lane County. To request food or other resources, community members may download WhatsApp, a free international texting app, and then text “RECEIVE INFO” to 541-285-1888. Alternatively, people may visit the CARES office during the hours of operation at 4181 E Street in Springfield. People may also arrange to have food delivered to them on a weekly basis.
For resources related to employment, housing, utility bills, schools, mental health, people may schedule an appointment with a resource specialist by calling Nancy Berge at 541-606-9061 or send an email to Nancy.berge@arclane.org. People who speak Spanish may contact Edith Osorio at 541-285-1888 or email edith.osorio@arclane.org. For general inquires about CARES, email cares@arclane.org.
The Arc is currently accepting new or lightly used household items to help others in the community. Please do not bring clothes or any broken, stained or heavily used items.
CARES is now accepting the following items:
| Home Goods | Personal Hygiene |
| · Sheets (all bed sizes) | · Toilet paper |
| · Comforters/blankets | · Toothbrushes and toothpaste |
| · Pillows and pillowcases | · Shampoo and conditioner |
| · Kitchenware | · Soap or body wash |
| · Household cleaning supplies | · Feminine hygiene products |
| · Reusable bags | · Body wipes |
| · School supplies
|
· Deodorant
|
Items may be delivered to the CARES office at The Arc Lane County, located at 4181 E Street in Springfield.
The Arc Lane County, a grassroots nonprofit, provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families living in Lane County. The mission of The Arc is to advocate to enhance the dignity, expand the opportunities, and protect the rights of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc envisions a world in which all persons have the support they need for personal development, independence, and interdependence with family and friends, and inclusion in the community. Learn more about The Arc Lane County at www.arclane.org.