Bend's Community Center connects the homeless and low-income youth with free bicycles.
Though the Sagebrush Classic attracts world-renowned chefs, it’s truly a community event. That’s why Deschutes Brewery is proud to support Bend’s Community Center through the Sagebrush Classic, providing the nonprofit with $6,000 in funding last year.
Bend’s Community Center offers a wide range of social services to children and families, including Feed The Hungry (the largest food kitchen in Central Oregon, providing 1,200 meals per week), Keep Them Warm (collection and distribution of winter clothing and outdoor survival gear), Becca’s Closet (formal wear for low-income teens) and Bend’s Community Bike Shed (providing free bikes to the homeless and low-income youth). Plus, the nonprofit operate a thrift store, a diaper bank and a job training program.
Since the downturn in the economy, Bend’s Community Center has experienced a sharp increase in demand for services, and at the same time it’s seen a drop in many of its regular sources of support.
“The funding from the Sagebrush Classic for general operations was invaluable and came at a critical time for our organization,” said Bruce Abernethy, Bend’s Community Center board president “ . . . The Sagebrush funding literally allowed us to keep staff on and our doors open.”