Showing Up For Our Communities
SELCO team members showed up in a big way during Volunteer Month in April, bringing even more energy to something we’re already known for: supporting the communities we serve.
Throughout the month, teams leaned in to find new ways to give back and partnered with organizations doing meaningful work every day. From food pantries and animal shelters to after-school programs and literacy initiatives, their efforts reflect both the needs across our communities and the commitment our team members bring to helping meet them.
Here’s a look at how SELCO team members made an impact throughout SELCO Volunteer Month 2026!
Positive Community Kitchen
Volunteer Month kicked off at Positive Community Kitchen in Eugene, at which team members helped prepare meals and assembled relaxation kits for individuals facing life-threatening illnesses. Nearly 100 of the kits were purchased and assembled by team members at SELCO Headquarters in Springfield during SELCO Steps Up Celebration Week in February, offering both a good meal and a small sense of comfort during a tough time.
Schoolhouse Supplies
In Forest Park, team members partnered with Schoolhouse Supplies through their Pack for a Purpose program to assemble school supply kits for classrooms in the Portland area. As the school year winds down and supplies run low, these kits help ensure students and teachers have what they need to continue learning. Since 1999, Schoolhouse Supplies has been a trusted partner for Portland Schools in advancing educational equity, and our team is proud to support that work.
Marion Polk Food Share
In Salem, team members partnered with Marion Polk Food Share, purchasing and assembling birthday kits for families experiencing food insecurity. Each kit included cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, soda (which can be used in place of eggs and oil), and a baking pan—everything needed to celebrate, even when resources are limited.
It’s a simple gesture to make sure every child (or adult) has the chance to feel celebrated, no matter their circumstances.
Safe Haven Humane Society
In Albany, volunteers spent time at Safe Haven Humane Society, one of the region’s longest-running animal shelters. Team members helped socialize puppies, giving them positive interaction that can make them more comfortable and adoptable. They also sorted plastic bottle donations that support the shelter’s operations.
Along the way, they got to see firsthand the real sense of care, effort, and day-to-day work that goes into looking after so many animals waiting to find a good home.
Harney County Chamber of Commerce
In Burns, team members showed up for the Harney County Chamber of Commerce after flooding left a significant organizational mess behind. Volunteers sorted through historical documents, event supplies, and gear for the Skull Gravel Grinder, a much-loved summer event that brings visitors to the region each year. For a small-staffed organization still recovering from the flooding, this extra help went a long way in getting things back in order.
SMART Reading
In Bend and Redmond, team members took part in a larger, organization-wide effort to support SMART Reading. Earlier this year, every SELCO branch in Oregon collected more than 400 books, including 229 from Central and Eastern Oregon, during a book drive aimed at supporting early literacy.
In Bend, volunteers carried that work forward by sorting, cleaning, and carefully checking each book before being placed in the hands of local families. It’s detailed work, but an important step in making sure every book is ready for its new home!
Giving Plate Community Store
Those same teams also supported the Giving Plate Community Store in Bend, helping get the space ready for shoppers by stocking shelves and organizing products. The store gives individuals and families facing food insecurity a place to shop for groceries at no cost, helping meet everyday needs in a way that feels accessible and inclusive.
Eugene and Springfield branches also played a big role in the SMART Reading effort. Through their local book drive, branches collected 241 books, which volunteers gathered to clean, sort, and prepare for distribution to children for their own home libraries.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley
Team members also supported the Boys & Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley during Eugene Marathon weekend, helping at both the Expo and the recovery tent on race day. Their efforts supported an event that raised more than $70,000 for the Boys & Girls Club after-school programs!
Bags of Love
The month wrapped up at Bags of Love, at which volunteers sorted donations and packed personalized care bags for children experiencing crisis. Each bag helps meet basic needs while offering a bit of comfort during an incredibly difficult time.
Our teams showed up during Volunteer Month in ways that matter. And when you step back, it all adds up to something we were proud to be part of—and that commitment will continue well beyond Volunteer Month.
