Most of us can safely say the COVID-19 pandemic is like nothing we’ve experienced in our lifetimes. The immediate impact on daily life as we know it has been remarkable and the uncertainty it has created will have lasting implications. We must all come together to protect the health and wellbeing of our community, and it’s heartening to see the collective response of community-based organizations, businesses, government and philanthropy to support our neighbors through this extraordinary time.

We want to recognize and thank our community partners who are currently providing critical services and looking ahead to when this pandemic is behind us. With the combined resources of Portland General Electric and the PGE Foundation, we are committing more than $1 million to support educational programs in our region and to help address food insecurity through donations to the Oregon Food Bank, Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon and Marion Polk Food Share. We’re also joining other businesses, foundations and individuals to support the Oregon Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Oregon Recovery Fund. Read PGE President and CEO Maria Pope’s letter to PGE customers and the community to learn more about how we’re helping customers, supporting communities and ensuring the safety of our employees during this time.

In the coming months, we will stay connected to our community partners and other stakeholders as we consider ways to support the vital services our neighbors need. And we will continue to approach our role as a foundation with a spirit of empathy, collaboration, flexibility and equity.

Stay safe, stay healthy.