Grant insecurity makes end-of-year giving essential for WAGAP

“For nearly sixty years, WAGAP has been serving low-income residents, including children and families, in Klickitat and Skamania counties,” said Executive Director Jennifer Pauletto. “We are doing our best to weather the current delays and changes in funding from federal and state grants, which make up a majority of our annual budget. But we need help from our communities to continue to serve where the needs are greatest, especially when it comes to food and energy assistance.” 

The end-of-year giving campaign for WAGAP starts in November. First Security Bank gave a $8,000 donation to the Food Bank Network in Goldendale. Giving Tuesday falls on December 2, after the Thanksgiving weekend.

Programs weather funding freezes in the federal government shutdown and budget negotiations. So, some programs are paused during these periods, meaning families in need don’t get dollars to help pay for heating as fall gets colder. Food banks have been doing their best with smaller budgets; need for food continues to grow. 

Even programs that rely totally on local donations feel the pinch. The Tree of Joy, a holiday program that helps match children in need with individual donors, saw a big increase in registration, jumping from 300 to 520 children this year. At the time of writing, the team had found 400 donors, but still has over 120 to go.

“We hope to ensure that all children who have been registered for the Tree of Joy this year receive much-needed warm winter clothing and a holiday gift,” said Associate Director Juan Reyes, who helps coordinate the program. “Our community members’ participation is essential to serve all of those children in need.” 

“Times may be tight for everyone right now,” Pauletto said. “We are so grateful for any donations that help us keep the most vulnerable populations housed, warm, and fed. Thank you to all of our donors for caring for your neighbors. Together, we can weather this storm.” 

Donate at local WAGAP offices, Monday-Thursday, during business hours: Bingen, 115 W. Steuben Street; Stevenson, 683 SW Rock Creek Drive; and the Goldendale Housing office, at 150 West Main Street. 

Donate or set up monthly gifts online at www.wagap.org/donate.

Mail checks to P.O. Box 805, Bingen, WA 98605. WAGAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Action Agency, and donations are tax-deductible.

Legacy giving to Washington Gorge Action Programs is also possible. Charitable gifts can be organized through a donor’s will and can include items such as cash, real estate, a percentage of an estate, retirement accounts, bank accounts, CDs, savings bonds, stocks, bonds, brokerage accounts, and life insurance policies. For many types of accounts, donors can name WAGAP as a beneficiary or a contingent beneficiary. See www.wagap.org/a-gift-in-your-will.