Principal Sponsors Fresh Meals for Domestic Violence Survivors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 4th, 2020 
CONTACT Brenda Kinoshita,
Cell: (971) 235-4203;
Email: brendak@cwsor.org
Portland, OR (May 12, 2020) — Principal, a local insurance and investment firm, announced a financial sponsorship today at the Portland Mercado during the pickup of fresh meals for domestic violence survivors. Their sponsorship is the first in an innovative new partnership between Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS), Hacienda Community Development Corp. (CDC), and Portland Mercado vendors.
With domestic violence increasing due to stay-at-home orders, domestic and sexual violence response agencies like CWS are working creatively to meet the changing needs of survivors. CWS is now sheltering twice as many survivors as usual–many in safe spaces without kitchen access. Through a partnership with Hacienda CDC, survivors and their families are now receiving meals made fresh by Portland Mercado vendors.
Today, two Portland Mercado vendors, Fernando’s Alegria and Qué Bacano, prepared a total of 44 meals, which will be delivered to survivors by CWS staff to maintain survivor safety and confidentiality. This is the first of two pickup and deliveries this week, totaling almost 100 meals for survivors and their families. Through a very generous donation, Principal® is sponsoring this week’s meals.
“Principal is proud to be part of #thegivingchain by supporting our local businesses and giving back to our community during this uncertain time. We hope other companies will be inspired to join The Giving Chain, too,” said Tom Fink, Principal.
The project grew from a small pilot project. Portland Mercado vendors were struggling with decreased business, while domestic violence survivors were limited to bland microwave and canned meals, due to lack of full kitchen access. Both CWS and Hacienda CDC want to grow the partnership to support other vulnerable populations CWS serves with vibrant, nutritious meals. Survivors receiving tele-health counseling and survivors attending parenting groups may be homebound, without much opportunity to safely access food.
“Clackamas Women’s Services appreciates Principal’s support of this innovative project, which partners nonprofit agencies with local businesses, for the good of the community,” said Brenda Kinoshita, Director of Development and Communications, Clackamas Women’s Services.
CWS seeks additional support for the project, which will help ensure its financial sustainability until stay-at-home orders are lifted. To support the venture, visit https://cwsor.ejoinme.org/support. If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, child or elder abuse, help is available through CWS’ 24-hour support line 1-888-654-2288 and M-F 9:30 am-4 pm through confidential chat: resourceconnect.com/cws/chat
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About Clackamas Women’s Services
Clackamas Women’s Services began in 1985 when community members saw women and children in their community impacted by domestic violence and banded together to create a solution. CWS grew out of neighbors opening their homes and sharing what they had in hopes of building a safer community for families. Since that time, CWS has grown beyond shelter to offer a wide range of services for anyone experiencing domestic and sexual violence from initial crisis through to long-term healing. We continue the legacy of working with community members, emergency responders, partnering social services, and for-profit businesses to build communities that protect and support survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Those interested in working with us to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence through volunteer service or financial support can find more information on our website, https://www.cwsor.org/. The 24-hour support line is 1-888-654-2288.
About Hacienda CDC
Hacienda CDC is a Latino Community Development Corporation that strengthens families by providing affordable housing, homeownership support, economic advancement and educational opportunities. Hacienda CDC was formed in 1992 to provide necessary housing and supportive services in a low-income, predominantly Latino community. Today, we provide safe, stable homes for over 1,500 individuals each year, and over half of those individuals are children. Hacienda embraces a holistic approach to development and serving Latinos throughout the region with programs in Community Economic Development, Homeownership Support, and Youth & Family Support Services. We have grown to become Oregon’s largest Latino-led, Latino-serving housing organization and remain a trusted name in the Latino population. www.haciendacdc.org
About Principal®
Principal (Nasdaq: PFG) helps people and companies around the world build, protect and advance their financial well-being through retirement, insurance and asset management solutions that fit their lives. Our employees are passionate about helping clients of all income and portfolio sizes achieve their goals—offering innovative ideas, investment expertise and real-life solutions to make financial progress possible. To find out more, visit us at principal.com.