Oregon

"According to new poverty measures from the Census Bureau, 15 percent of people ages 65 or older nationwide are living in poverty 6 percent higher than previously thought."

"Rebuilding Together Washington County, a nonprofit based out of Beaverton, will provide supplies and labor to reroof the Meekins' house and repair dry rot in the floor. The countywide organization fixes up houses for low-income homeowners, with a particular focus on elderly or disabled citizens, veterans or families with children."

"The near-peer influence of those recent college graduates who shepherd high school and college students to a four-year degree works: So far, 58 percent of students who've participated in the program in its initial location of Minneapolis-St. Paul have earned bachelor's degrees."

"As Oregon lawmakers consider more changes in a 50-year-old program that pays property taxes for low-income seniors and people with disabilities, they heard good news from two reports. According to the Oregon Department of Revenue, the program is back in balance after getting down to zero about two years ago."

"Assistance to college-ready, low-income students is Oregon's second capacity problem. Tuition and fees at Oregon's public universities have increased 50 percent since 2005, and too many students are locked out because of price, lack of information or both. Oregon must do more to highlight aid that's already available."

"The donation will be seed money for expanding a two-year-old food pantry program now in six Multnomah County low-income schools. The donation, and a challenge for other businesses to join the campaign, could grow the program to 24 more school-based food pantries in counties served by the Oregon Food Bank."