Author: United Community Action Network

Urgent Call to Support Douglas County’s Emergency Food Network

Posted on October 28, 2025 by - News, Press Releases

As food insecurity reaches critical levels, the United Community Action Network (UCAN) is calling on residents, businesses, and community partners across Douglas County to take action. With rising demand and uncertainty surrounding federal SNAP (food stamp) benefits, UCAN’s regional Food Bank network is working to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.

Financial contributions, whether one-time or recurring, make the biggest difference. UCAN can purchase food at subsidized rates through the USDA and Feeding America. Every $10 donated helps UCAN provide up to 30 meals across Douglas County.

Donate online here and select “Food Bank” from the “Apply My Donation To” dropdown list, or a check may be made payable to “UCAN Food Bank” and mailed or delivered to the UCAN Administrative Office at 251 NE Garden Valley Blvd. Suite 205 Roseburg, OR 97470.

Other Ways You Can Help

  • Host a Food Drive — Download UCAN’s Food Drive Toolkit to get started in your workplace, school, or neighborhood.
  • Donate to a Community Food Drive
  • Volunteer

Need Food Assistance?

Find Food Assistance — We keep an updated list of all Douglas County Pantries and Kitchens on our website here for locations, hours, and contact information.

UCAN’s FY24 Annual Report and 2025 Community Needs Assessment are now available

Posted on October 22, 2025 by - News

UCAN’s FY24 Annual Report and 2025 Community Needs Assessment are now available. Together, they tell a story of our organization, and region. Where we’ve been, the impact we’ve made, and the work that still lies ahead.

In the Annual Report, you’ll see how UCAN helped individuals and families find stability, supported children in growing stronger through education and nutrition, and stood beside unhoused neighbors through times of change. Each number represents care in action: meals shared, shelter secured, and opportunities created across Douglas, Josephine, Klamath, and Lake Counties.

The 2025 Community Needs Assessment looks ahead, offering data and insight into the conditions shaping daily life in our communities. It identifies where need remains greatest, including housing, childcare, food access, and health, and where collective action can make the most difference.

We invite you to read both reports, learn more about UCAN’s work, and join us in shaping a stronger, more resilient future for our communities.

Read our FY24 Annual Report
Explore our 2025 Community Needs Assessment

Fill the Barrel, Feed the Community!

Posted on September 17, 2025 by - News, Press Releases

September is Hunger Action Month, and UCAN Food Bank is partnering with Sherm’s Thunderbird and Columbia Bank to host the Fill the Barrel, Feed the Community Food Drive!

From September 1–30, shoppers can support local families facing food insecurity in three ways:

On Wednesday, September 10 (10 AM–6 PM), UCAN and Columbia Bank employees were on-site at Sherm’s collecting food donations. Needed items include canned meat, peanut butter, cereal, vegetables, chili, and hearty soups.

Each month, around 12,000 Douglas County residents, 25% of them children, turn to UCAN’s network of emergency pantries for food support. Every contribution helps move us closer to a community where no one goes hungry.

Read the full press release here.

UCAN launches new volunteer management platform

Posted on September 9, 2025 by - Announcements

Volunteer with UCAN

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of UCAN’s new volunteer management platform: volunteer.ucancap.org

This system is designed to make volunteering easier, more flexible, and more rewarding as we track our impact together:

  • Build your profile. Share your interests and skills so we can connect you with the opportunities that matter most to you.
  • Find opportunities in real time. The calendar and listings are always up to date with roles that need support, from one-time events to ongoing projects. Sign up for opportunities at your own pace, whenever you have time to support our community programs.
  • Track your impact. Hours will be logged, and you will see the difference you’re making in our community.
  • Streamlined paperwork. Complete volunteer agreements and role-specific requirements directly on the site.

We encourage you to create your profile today, so you don’t miss out on upcoming events and ongoing needs.

Volunteer Today!

Celebrating the Retirement of UCAN CEO Shaun Pritchard

Posted on May 21, 2025 by - Announcements, News

After more than five years of dedicated leadership, UCAN announces the retirement of CEO Shaun Pritchard. Shaun joined UCAN during an exceptionally challenging time and helped guide the agency through the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded critical services across our region, and led major efforts to address homelessness and community recovery.

From launching the Gary Leif Navigation Center in Roseburg to expanding shelter and outreach services in Grants Pass, Shaun’s impact has been deeply felt across Douglas and Josephine counties. His vision and leadership helped UCAN grow stronger and more responsive to community needs.

We are grateful for all that Shaun has contributed to UCAN and wish him all the best in his next chapter. UCAN’s Chief Operating Officer, Jordan Jungwirth, will step in as Interim CEO during this leadership transition.

Read the Full Press Release

Head Start Disclaimer

Posted on March 4, 2025 by - Disclaimers

This website is supported by Grant Number 10CH012413-02-00 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of United Community Action Network and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.

Letter from the CEO

Posted on February 25, 2025 by - News, Newsletters

Shaun Pritchard

I want to start by thanking my dedicated Homeless and Housing staff for the incredible work they have done, and continue to do, this year. We know that housing and homelessness are still big problems in our community-we explain why in the article on homelessness. But we have been able to help so many people stay housed, find new housing, and as needed, find shelter.

Shaun Pritchard

In the past several months, we’ve launched two new initiatives that both address health issues that contribute to poverty. Our new Healthy Homes program will help hundreds of individuals breathe more easily when wildfires send toxic ash and particulates to their homes. We look forward to offering air purifiers and filters to folks qualifying for weatherization services.

In partnership with Umpqua Health, AllCare and the Oregon Health Authority, we are just beginning to provide a range of social services to residents on Medicaid. These services, like those keeping people housed, will reduce both individuals’ needs for health services and chronic health conditions that burden our communities. We are using funds made available to support this effort to integrate all services offered by UCAN and other partners, making it simpler for people to “get the right service at the right time.”

We are offering a great opportunity for partner agencies to increase their capacity by hosting AmeriCorps members. I am an enthusiastic supporter of AmeriCorps, as it develops a workforce that benefits our communities. We have seen many of our AmeriCorps alumni stay in our area after completing their service. We all benefit from the passion they bring to their service.

And we are again hosting a Cheese and Thank You event in Douglas County to raise funds for our regional food bank, Feeding Umpqua. The event runs the entire month of March. While we’ll receive donations for each item purchased, local residents will not only enjoy local eateries’ innovations on grilled cheese and other cheesy treats, but will also have chances to win some great prizes.

We are seeing less outside support for food purchases right now, while the need for emergency food is at record levels. So we’re hoping for a record level of cheese eaters. And if you can’t or don’t eat cheese, please consider a donation to Feeding Umpqua. As our team at Feeding Umpqua says: “You’ll be doing a world of Gouda!”