The Beginning

A local organization with global reach

The Cause began, unofficially, in the fall of 2001.  Freely Give, a local, youth-driven project, was the catalyst.  A young high school girl named Keri approached me with her vision: providing the homeless of Central Oregon with backpacks filled with food, toiletries, warm socks, gloves and hats, a coat and blanket, and a Bible.

We joined forces with dozens of young people from the area, along with a group of adults, and spent four months bringing Keri's vision to reality.  Local high schools, elementary schools, churches, and youth groups joined in.  Eventually, working together, we filled nearly 700 backpacks, distributing them to homeless and needy families, children and adults throughout the greater Central Oregon area.

Watching Keri's enthusiasm as her dream evolved, observing other young people patiently working through the cold winter months to help someone less fortunate, seeing the difference having a purpose makes in lives, The Cause was born.

Our desire is to encourage people to discover their passions and to use their gifts and abilities to help others.  Whatever we can do to help bring a dream to reality, we'll do.  Everyone needs a cause; everyone wants to be a part of something greater than themselves.    And everyone needs a cheerleader - someone to believe in their dream with them, and stand alongside them until it happens.  That is the Cause.  Shoulder to shoulder, releasing dreams, building hope.

The Cause is a registered 501 (c)(3) in the state of Oregon. We are based in Bend, Oregon.