Editorial: Think community year-round

The Giving USA Foundation reported in June that the 2014 tally of $358.38 billion in donations was the largest it had tracked in 60 years. The prior record was $355 billion in 2007, right before the country sank into the Great Recession.

Across the nation, as well as the local front, nonprofit organizations have learned to rely on the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas for donations to get them through the rest of the year.

People in our community and many others are asked to support the homeless, veterans, foster children, needy families, elderly and other vulnerable population groups.

Consideration needs to be given to the fact that, while donations during the holiday season provide food, housing, clothing and other needs for a little while, the cause goes on and support is also needed during the other months of the year.

In May, Gallup did a national poll to measure generosity state by state and 59 percent of Oregon respondents said they had donated money in the past month, which was far lower than most other states and only points above North Carolina, which had the lowest ranking at 55 percent. Utah earned the top spot with a 70 percent donation rate.

Oregon can do better than shown in that poll, and we, in Wasco County, can lead the way.

In 2014, the median household income of this area was $43,226 and 16 percent of residents lived in poverty.

Struggling families need resources and there are numerous groups trying to provide them.

The 2015 edition of the Gorge Giving Guide published by the Chronicle and Hood River News lists many of these organizations.

There is a program overview on each charity and a list of what they need to do the job.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the guide at the Chronicle office, 315 Federal Street. Select a group and pledge regular support for the next year.