PORTLAND, Ore.–The Rivermark Community Fund, a charitable extension of Rivermark Community Credit Union, has directed its 2021 grant to provide $20,000 in utility bill assistance through the Oregon Energy Fund (OEF).
The donation will support households in Clackamas, Gilliam, Hood River, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, and Yamhill counties.
Amidst lingering financial challenges from the pandemic that range from global supply chain constraints and rising costs to staffing shortages and stagnant wages, many US residents face steep increases in the cost of heating their home and keeping the lights on this winter, the credit union noted.
On July 31st,2021, an Oregon state law prohibiting utility shutoffs for people who cannot afford their bill ended. Months later, as temperatures drop, countless households are facing economic uncertainty exacerbated by the need to adapt to more extreme weather conditions and stay warm through the winter.
“In exploring candidates for this year’s grant, we agreed that assisting neighbors in financial crisis with paying their energy bill is an instrumental element of regional housing stability,” said President & CEO Seth Schaefer.
“Considering that energy insecurity disproportionately affects Black, Latinx, and Native American households, we believe these grant dollars will help advance housing equity and financial resiliency within historically marginalized communities,” Schaefer added. “The impact will be significant, and the current conditions make supporting this cause more relevant than ever.”
"One-in-four Oregonians struggle to pay their energy bills every year, and thousands cut back on expenses like rent or food to do so, putting them at high risk of eviction and illness," said Brian Allbritton, Oregon Energy Fund's Executive Director.