In 2025, Avista’s commitment to Oregon communities was defined by compassion, collaboration, and the belief that real change happens when people come together. These three stories – just a glimpse into the many organizations we supported last year – highlight the power of partnership and the importance of individuals who are willing to put in the work and uplift their neighbors.
Fighting Hunger, One Backpack at a Time
In Jackson County, the ACCESS Rogue Powerpack Program (RPP) is tackling weekend hunger for over 730 elementary students across 30 schools. With backpacks filled with child-friendly, easy-to-prepare meals, RPP ensures that children who rely on school meals during the week don’t go hungry on weekends. The program’s impact is profound: parents report improved nutrition and less financial strain, while children gain the energy and focus they need to thrive in school. Through donations and volunteer support, RPP proves that even $8 can feed a child for a weekend – and $300 can sustain them for an entire school year.
Making Waves in Water Safety
In White City, the Cascade Community Pool (CCP) has become a beacon of safety and wellness. With support from the Avista Foundation, CCP provides low-cost swim lessons to about 550 children annually, ensuring every third-grader in the area learns essential water safety skills. The pool’s warm water and accessibility features make it a favorite for seniors and veterans, including a 93-year-old who attends weekly exercise classes. Board member Lynne Gilstrap, a retired educator, champions the life-saving importance of these lessons in a region surrounded by rivers and lakes. Her message is clear: water safety saves lives.
Walking the Hard Path Toward Housing
In Roseburg, Kimetha Stallings and her team at Onward Roseburg are redefining outreach. With boots on the ground and hearts full of purpose, they meet people experiencing homelessness where they are – whether in parks, camps, or roadside ditches – and guide them toward permanent housing. Stallings, who once faced homelessness herself, leads with empathy and determination. In just one year, Onward Roseburg helped forty individuals secure housing, proving that trust and persistence can change lives. Their work is gritty, personal, and deeply impactful – and it’s made possible through community support and grant funding.
These are just three of the many organizations Avista partnered with in 2025. Each one reminds us that it truly takes a village: nonprofits, volunteers, and donors like the Avista Foundation all play a role in building stronger, healthier communities. We’re proud to walk alongside them and are excited to continue working together to strengthen communities in 2026.
At Avista, we recognize our unique position gives us the chance to contribute in an impactful way and make a real difference in people’s lives. Since 2002, the Avista Foundation has made grants totaling over $17 million to organizations that support vulnerable and limited income populations, education, and economic and cultural vitality. The foundation is a separate, non-profit organization established by Avista Corp., and does not receive funding from Avista Utilities’ customers through rates. For more information on grant applications and geographical areas covered, please visit avistafoundation.com.