Capital Funding Campaign
Campaign Kickoff: Wetlands Taphouse Fundraiser a Resounding Success!
To officially commence the campaign, Wetlands Taphouse hosted a lively community fundraiser on Saturday, May 31. The event featured entertainment, a live auction, and an incredible show of support from our community. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and donors, the La Pine community raised an outstanding $36,000!
Additional updates and information will be posted on our website and Facebook page: La Pine Community Kitchen & Pantry.
La Pine Community Kitchen has been serving the area’s less fortunate with hot meals, groceries, clothing, and hygiene supplies since 1999. And even as the need for this assistance grows – the nonprofit provided 18,529 hot meals and 332,819 pounds of food to 8,227 pantry clients in 2024 – the structures that house its expanded operations are clearly in need of replacement.
From the 1930s Shevlin-Hixon mobile logging home that was moved to the organization’s Finley Butte Road site in the early 1950s, a triple wide modular from Knott Landfill to a converted chicken coup and six small sheds, the buildings that house its operations – all of which were donated — have inevitably been deteriorating over time. Continual repairs, while allowing the organization to keep functioning, are no longer enough to mask the overriding need for a single, centralized structure to serve larger and larger numbers of the less fortunate.
(Over the past 10 years, La Pine has experienced substantial growth, increasing 87.19% compared to Deschutes County’s 30.53% growth. Consequently, La Pine Community Kitchen has seen a 30% increase in people using its services during Q1 2025 compared to a year ago.)
In order to continue its mission most effectively and cost-efficiently, La Pine Community Kitchen has embarked on a Capital Campaign to raise a projected $2.5 million – the amount needed to construct a facility that will consolidate all three of its programs, rather than housing them in separate buildings that impede communication and traffic flow among both staff and volunteers, and the community that benefits from the nonprofit’s services.
A broad-based team of volunteers has been formed to develop fundraising strategies and provide invaluable assistance in their areas of expertise. It consists of:
- Representatives from the City of La Pine, Geoff Wulschlarger (City Manager) and Brent Bybee (City Planner)
- Chris Thome (architect), Steele Associates Architects LLC
- Andrew Spreadborough and Sydney Richards, NeighborImpact
- Megan Tuck, Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)
- J.T. Haglund (surveyor) and Jennifer VanCamp (civil engineer), Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc.
- Tammy Wisco (local land use planner), Retia Consult LLC
Testimonials From Our Community Members
My name is David Fox, and I work for Deschutes County Behavioral Health. This letter is written in support of La Pine Community Kitchen and their efforts to receive grant funding in order to provide much needed services in the greater La Pine community. As a community health care worker focused on South Deschutes County, I have used the Community Kitchen extensively. In my particular role we are focused in doing outreach to the neediest members of our community; those experiencing homelessness, mental illness and often dealing with substance use disorder. Community Kitchen has opened their doors to me and our clients. They are the only place I can go to sit down with clients over a hot meal in a safe space. They offer me and our entire Behavioral Health team in La Pine a place to go that is stress free and humanizing. In addition to the intangible benefits that Community Kitchen offers, they also provide hot meals, food distribution, clothing, hygiene items, and host outreach workers from all over the county. I have seen them host veterans clinics, the library, OHSU researchers, as well as helping us conduct the point-in-time count.
La Pine Community Kitchen offers a truly local and unique window into the needs of the people living in South Deschutes, North Klamath, and West Lake Counties. Too often, rural communities are overlooked and lumped into projects that have more to do with larger cities in Deschutes County. At La Pine Community Kitchen, they are wholly focused on how to help South Deschutes, North Klamath, and West Lake Counties, and have the knowledge and people willing to help. I hope this letter encourages you to approve the funding request made by La Pine Community Kitchen and their efforts to support the community and the service providers
David Fox / Case Manager
I’m a husband and father of two boys, Daniel and Ethan. We stop by La Pine Community Kitchen about once a week for lunch and groceries. It’s been a steady help to our family.
Daniel usually heads straight for the cake. Ethan’s the adventurous one—he’ll try anything once. On hot days, they’ve even been given popsicles or ice cream bars, which is a big deal for little kids trying to cool off and enjoy the sunshine. These moments stick with them. It’s not just about food—it’s about being seen, welcomed, and treated like neighbors.
As a Christian, I see God’s provision in that. “The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season.” (Psalm 145:15) And we’re thankful.
When the cost of living keeps climbing, getting help with groceries—even just once a week—gives our family breathing room. It makes it easier to stay on top of other bills without the constant pressure.
This isn’t some big national nonprofit. This is our town. Our neighbors. Our shared work. And it’s quietly making a difference—feeding families, helping seniors, and being a consistent light in uncertain times.
If you’ve been helped—or if you care about backing people who serve faithfully and without fanfare—please write a letter of support. These testimonials help keep the doors open, the food on the table, and the kids smiling.
Matthew Lankford / La Pine Resident & Thankful Dad
The La Pine Chamber of Commerce would like to thank La Pine Community Kitchen for their continued work in our community for those folks less fortunate. They offer essential services to these folks in a compassionate and efficient manner. Many people in our community depend upon the clothing and food they provide, as well as a warm and inviting place for citizens to meet and share a meal.
Please know the organization has our unerring support for their activities.
Ann Gawith / Chamber President
Having lived in the La Pine area for nine years, I’ve seen an increasing need for food & clothing assistance by those who have not been able to survive completely on their own.
I applaud the La Pine Community Kitchen for its unwavering commitment to provide food and clothing at no charge, and without obligation or burdensome requirements tied to this generosity, to those accessing their services in our community.
Now I feel that it’s time for our community to show its support for the La Pine Community Kitchen by contributing to this capital funding campaign that is so critical for its future – and those citizens who rely upon it.
Please join me in supporting a vital organization in La Pine as it prepares for the future by planning a new building to house their kitchen, pantry. and clothing closet. I believe the need for their services will only increase as time goes by, especially in these uncertain financial times that we’re all experiencing.
Annette Langenstein / Creative Design South County Shopper
The houselessness, food insecurity and more happening in our community can be attributed to a basic math problem. Wages are less than expenses for many people in our community.
Let’s pretend Mr. Smith makes $18 an hour working 30 hours a week. He earns $540 a week before taxes and $2,160 a month before taxes. Let’s say his share of the rent is $900 a month. On a monthly average, he spends $500 for food, $200 for gas, car insurance $100, $200 for his car loan and $100 for his share of utility bills. That totals $2,000 in expenses. Estimating he pays at least $200 a month in taxes, he’s now at $2,200 or in the red $40. That’s not taking into account unexpected expenses or needed expenses such as an oil change, new tires, a doctor bill, health insurance and household expenses.
Nonprofit agencies like La Pine Community Kitchen are vital to our community because they provide the assistance needed to community members who are trying to make ends meet.
La Pine Community Kitchen is a place where someone can find clothes for a job interview, a new job or to keep warm during the winter months. It’s a place where they can get a homecooked meal or food to prepare at home. They can find household items or a book to read.
There are countless stories on why a person seeks assistance. From my experience working at nonprofit agencies providing food assistance, I can share the majority of people would rather be giving assistance than receiving it.
I applaud the La Pine Community Kitchen for its commitment to provide food and clothing at no charge, and without obligation or burdensome requirements tied to this generosity.
I encourage people in the community to show their support by contributing to this capital funding campaign that is so critical for La Pine Community Kitchen’s future – and those citizens who rely upon it.
The reality is the majority of Americans are one incident away from needing assistance. In their times of need, it’s vital they can count on places like La Pine Community Kitchen to lift them up and support them. To serve its mission, La Pine Community Kitchen requires the community’s support.
Kristine Thomas / Executive Director Sunriver Chamber of Commerce