At the Samaritan Charitable Society’s Community Partners Gathering on June 10, 2026, at the Hawthorne Hotel, attendees heard a powerful reflection on the realities of housing insecurity, the importance of timely intervention, and the remarkable partnership between the City of Salem and the Samaritan Charitable Society.
Drawing on both her professional experience and her own personal story, Lori Stewart demonstrates
You know the parable of the straw that broke the camel’s back: an ordinarily minor thing proves the breaking point in a prolonged and difficult effort. It’s an apt one for so many of the requests we receive.
Too many lack housing or don’t have enough to eat. Too many are having trouble learning or perhaps can’t even go to school because they have no clean clothes. Their families are stressed. Their physical and mental health is at risk. What can we do? We hope you will join us for an informal community discussion about the devasting and far-reaching
Many Samaritan partners turn to us because of our ability to fund unusual requests, from soccer equipment for boys adjusting to life in the U.S. to bus passes that enable people to get groceries from The Salem Pantry. But what about the “everyday” requests without a unique back story?
Nonprofits of every kind—whether environmental, cultural, health-focused, educational, or social service organizations like ours—are bracing for cuts to funding, staffing, and programs.
Many of you joined us for “The Many Faces of Homelessness” symposium. Thank you so much for your interest and your support.