What We Do
Mid Columbia Community Action Council offers services geared
toward the low income population of Wasco,
Our main office is located at
Fax (541)298-5141 or email us by clicking here.
Our satellite office is in
or email us here.
We are constantly searching for new and different avenues to successfully provide opportunities for low income people. The goal being to help people become economically self-reliant and thereby increase their chances to live more productive and meaningful lives and break the cycle of poverty they find themselves and their families trapped in.
The commitment of eliminating poverty in our community is everyone's responsibility and should be taken seriously by everyone in the community, as poverty affects all of us whether we are the very rich or the very poor.
MCCAC is an RCA (Regional Coordinating Agency) of the
Oregon Food Bank. Mid Columbia Food Share delivers donated food and USDA
items to emergency food pantries, meal sites and feeding programs each
month. Outlets include Salvation Army, FISH, Windy River Gleaners,
Sherman County Emergency Food Box, Pioneer Potlatch, Cascade Locks Emergency
Food Box,
The
Housing
Assistance with rent/mortgage program provides up to one month's help
with payment along with counceling and referrals. Funding is very limited
- an appointment needs to be made to determine if applicant qualifies.
Transitional Housing is provided at The Hamilton. This is not a shelter, it is a "temporary home". Residency can not exceed two years. Residents are chosen who have a desire to develop a productive life-style.
USDA Daycare Food Program
The Oregon Department of Education Child and Adult Care Food Program assists At
Home Daycare providers offer nutritious meals and snacks by reimbursing food
costs when USDA approved standards are met. MCCAC provides technical
assistance, monitoring, training and menus for this program
PUD Senior Discount
This program is available to customers of Northern Wasco County PUD who are
62 years of age or older and be LIEAP eligible. The discount runs from
November through April.
Senior Discount for Water/Sewage
The City of
Garbage Discount
The Dalles Disposal discount is $3.00 a month for seniors 60 years or older
with an income of $10,000 a year or less and free to low income seniors over
85.
There is also a discount of $2.50 a month for low-income households in
Respite Care
Repiste Care is care which is provided to a person with special needs in order
to give temporary or short term relief to the family or primary caregiver of
that person. The Lifespan Respite Care Program of Hood River and
Wasco County is designed to serve families and caregivers of special
needs individuals of all ages by linking families with respite care referrals,
respite related information and respite payment resources that may be
available. We coordinate referral services at no charge regardless of age
and income. The program also recruits and screens respite care providers.
Tax Counseling
The AARP Tax Aide program provides free help in preparing Federal and State
Income Tax returns for seniors and low income households. The program
runs from February 1st through April 15th and is staffed by trained AARP volunteers
using Federally approved programs.
Weatherization
Program
The Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Authority, Local power providers and at times other grant providers pay to have homes weatherized. The programs save money and energy use by our clients so that the energy can be used for other purposes. This saves energy for the home users and makes more power available to industries which in turn provide jobs and products for our economy. For more information and to go to our Weatherization page or click here.
