A $25,000 grant from the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) is expected to provide a major boost for a local shelter geared to protect young people in the Gorge dealing with troubled home lives.

Six months ago, representatives from over two dozen agencies and political offices met in The Dalles with an ambitious charge from the governor’s office: to form a coalition to decrease hunger and increase access to quality food in the Columbia River Gorge.

“We’re going to stop that coal with the power of the soul!” recited Chaplain Mark Thomas of Hood River to the gathering local citizens.