Polk County Adopt-a-Family program reports higher registrations, calls for teen-item donations and volunteers

Polk County Family and Community Outreach officials updated the board on the county's Adopt-a-Family holiday program, reporting substantially higher participation this year and specific needs for older children. Stephanie Gilbert, program manager, told commissioners the program had 879 families registered as of the morning of the meeting and roughly 2,500',600 children on the list, with about 700 children already matched to donors.

Gilbert said $12,000 in cash donations had been raised to help fill remaining gaps and that the county will pack items at Western Oregon University before moving donations to the fairgrounds for distribution on Dec. 17 via a drive-through model. She said volunteers (about 100 signed up) will do two-hour shifts during prep and distribution. Gilbert described a vetting process implemented several years ago: applicants who report SNAP/TANF/OHP eligibility are automatically prioritized, and the application asks applicants to explain their need so staff can verify and allocate help.

Officials identified the greatest remaining gap as teenage boys and asked commissioners and the public to consider higher-value items (hoodies, shoes, toiletries) that donors may not usually select. DeMoe and Gilbert credited partners such as the Louvre Foundation (donated space at Western), the Salvation Army (toys for West Salem), and United Way (help with pallet donations) for enabling the operation and said donors and potential volunteers can find sign-up information by searching "Polk County adopt a family."