Benton County Covid Connection
Supporting OUR local NonprofitS AND THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE
Our Mission
This site highlights the current needs of Benton County, Oregon nonprofits, and the people they serve, during the COVID-19 crisis. We focus on emerging challenges being faced by the nonprofit community, and how people can help. For official information from Benton County about the local coronavirus response please visit bentoncounty.recovers.org.
We’re Taking a Break For Now
Benton County COVID Connection will be back soon. Stay safe and mask up!
Interview with Patrick Rollens, Public Information Officer for the City of Corvallis
Patrick Rollens, Public Information Officer for the City of Corvallis, details what life will look like for Corvallis in Phase 2, and the role of the Benton County-Corvallis Emergency Operations Center.
Interview with Jason Bradford, President of the Board, Post Carbon Institute
Jason Bradford, the President of the Board of Directors for the Post Carbon Institute, discusses how PCI is navigating life during COVID-19 and the future of energy consumption.
Food and Shelter Update: Local Food Insecurity Grows, Front-Line Groups Respond
Hunger is growing in Benton County, but local groups are working to meet the challenge.
Video interview with Diane Converse, Executive Director of the Corvallis Environmental Center
Diane Converse, Executive Director of the Corvallis Environmental Center, shares how the group has been affected by the pandemic and unveils their plans for offering summer camps this year.
Video Interview with Doug Boysen, President and CEO of Samaritan Health Services
Doug Boysen, President and CEO of Samaritan Health Services, speaks about Samaritan’s response to COVID-19. Samaritan is the largest health care provider in Benton, Linn, and Lincoln Counties.
Q&A with Ashlee Chavez, Director of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
From home delivery of library materials, to digital resources and video tutorials, to 3D-printed face shields and wifi hotspots, our public library is still serving our community during the COVID-19 crisis.
Local Furniture Bank Seeks Furniture, Food for Needy Neighbors
Furniture Share is still working to help people in need turn their house into a home. Items in highest demand are kitchen supplies, beds of all sizes, couches, dinner tables and dressers. You can help even from home. Donate today!
A Q&A With Emily James, Interim Executive Director of Heartland Humane Society
Emily James, the interim Executive Director of Heartland Humane, shared the changes Heartland Humane has made to their advocacy and awareness efforts during the COVID-19 crisis. Learn how you can help support the animals in their care.
Interview with Chris Quaka, President and CEO of the Benton Community Foundation
Since 1953, the Benton Community Foundation has supported nonprofits and families throughout the county. Chris Quaka shares how BCF is supporting Benton County throughout the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
Stay Engaged with Corvallis Parks & Recreation
Even though most local classes, events, performances and playgrounds remain closed or on hold during the COVID-19 crisis, Corvallis Parks & Recreation is keeping the spirit of art, culture and community alive.
Interview with Cynthia Spencer-Hadlock, Executive Director of The Arts Center (Corvallis)
Cynthia Spencer-Hadlock discusses how The Arts Center is nurturing an online community of local artists.
Helping Wildlife, and Helping Our Local Wildlife Center, During the Pandemic
Learn how you can help wildlife and Chintimini Wildlife Center from your own backyard during the pandemic.
Benton Community Foundation Awards Emergency Funds to Provide Food, Childcare
The Benton Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund dispersed its first round of emergency grants this week, as reported in the Philomath Express. Recipients include The Alsea Valley Gleaners, Marys River Gleaners, Coastal Range Food Bank and Jeni’s Place...
Volunteers Produce Portable Handwashing Stations for Houseless Community Members
The Portable Handwashing Station Project seeks to give houseless people access to handwashing stations across Benton County.
Interview with Ed Kelly, CEO of The Corvallis Clinic
Ed Kelly, CEO of The Corvallis Clinic, details how the Clinic is preparing for patients with COVID-19 while navigating a sharp decrease in revenue.
Interview with Liv Gifford, Executive Director of the Corvallis Public Schools Foundation
Corvallis Public Schools Foundation hopes to raise enough funds to provide food, hygiene items and other types of support for students and their families.
Chris Quaka, CEO of Benton Community Foundation, encouraged by nonprofits on frontlines
In a recent op-ed published in the Corvallis Gazette-Times, Benton Community Foundation president and CEO Chris Quaka stated that he felt encouraged by "the many examples of how our community has responded to this pandemic." Many nonprofits are navigating how best to...
Food and Shelter Update: Grants for Food for Kids Offered, Motel Sheltering for Homeless and Medically Fragile
Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon and CHANCE respond to a growing need for their services throughout Benton County.
Sanitation issues create new hurdles for local nonprofits, service providers
Groups like the Corvallis Men’s Shelter, Stone Soup and the County’s Emergency Response Center are navigating an additional layer of logistics: keeping things exceptionally clean and sanitized.