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District resource center reports spike in basic-needs requests; staff say reporting undercounts demand
Summary
A district social-services presenter reported rising referrals and emergency-aid spending at the Tiger Resource Center, including a large food drive (511 donated items), distribution of grocery and laundry gift cards and substantial PGE utility-assistance spending; presenters cautioned that recorded numbers undercount actual assistance delivered.
A district social-services representative reporting to the Tualatin City Council on March 23 said the Tiger Resource Center and Family Partnership Advocates are seeing sharply increased basic-needs requests and that record-keeping likely undercounts the assistance provided.
The presenter identified the Family Partnership Advocates program as the front-line team linking families and students to resources across schools. The presentation said 511 food items were donated during a fall food drive, and the center distributed $500 in grocery gift cards and about $325 in laundry gift cards. The largest category of expenditures this year was PGE (utility) assistance, and the presenter said the combined assistance delivered has at times exceeded the grant amount by dipping into reserves. The presenter also said two Family Partnership Advocate positions were lost to budget cuts last year, leaving one staff member at the resource center to coordinate referrals and distribution.
The presenter described the shifting needs behind attendance barriers—child care, transportation, food and mental-health challenges—and noted a district-wide effort beginning in 2026 to coordinate interventions to improve attendance. Councilors asked about cross-jurisdictional resource links for Clackamas County portions of the city and about partnerships with school backpack programs; the presenter said those connections could be strengthened and offered to follow up.
Why this matters: The report signals growing household financial stress in the school district and shows local safety-net programs are already stretching reserves to meet demand. Councilors and staff discussed logistics for coordinating larger donation drives and working with regional partners to expand capacity.
The presenter cautioned that the transcripted numbers are partial and likely undercount families served because staff prioritize direct service over detailed reporting. Councilors offered support and volunteers to help coordinate future collection and distribution efforts.
