(Hayden Homes and Simplicity Oregon team members provided a check for $4,250 to NeighborImpact | Photo courtesy of Hayden Homes)
This December, Hayden Homes, Simplicity by Hayden Homes, and First Story undertook a major philanthropic campaign across the Northwest in support of organizations fighting food insecurity.
The campaign included gifts totaling $66,000 to 15 nonprofit organizations across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Western Montana. In addition, a company-wide food drive totaled more than 2,500 pounds of non-perishable foods, which team members delivered to local food banks where they also contributed more than 60 hours of volunteer time.
Community members facing food insecurity are experiencing a lack of consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active life, according to Feeding America, a leading data provider on the issue. Feeding America estimates that in 2023, about 14.2 percent of Oregonians, or 599,460 people, were food insecure.
“While federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits have been restored, we know our region continues to face critical food insecurity,” said Brett Swanson, regional director at Hayden Homes. “It takes all of us to build a strong community, and at Hayden Homes, we are motivated by our Give As You Go philosophy to do what we can, when we can. Whether someone can give nonperishable items, a financial contribution, or an hour of their time to their local food kitchen, we hope our community members will join us to help feed our neighbors.”
Regional homebuilders Hayden Homes and Simplicity invest in the communities where they build, and the companies’ three philanthropic areas of focus include Food Security, Housing Solutions, and Youth and Education. The flagship of Hayden Homes’ giving initiatives is First Story, a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded by the company in 1998 to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to under-resourced families across the Northwest. Each year, First Story donates hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to nonprofit organizations whose work strengthens local communities.
In Central Oregon, Hayden Homes, Simplicity, and First Story gave $4,250 to NeighborImpact and $4,250 to Thrive Central Oregon. The funds will support a variety of initiatives to ensure community members can feed their families not just at the holidays but throughout the year. At the St. Vincent De Paul food bank in Bend, team members also delivered approximately 450 pounds of donated nonperishable items.
“Our food network serves more than 80,000 individuals every month including children, families, and older adults,” said Scott Cooper, executive director of NeighborImpact. “When local private companies like Hayden Homes and Simplicity invest in the nonprofits and agencies that partner with NeighborImpact to alleviate hunger in Central Oregon, the entire system can do more to provide fresh, local food to pantries, meal sites, and shelters across our region.”
To learn more about Hayden Homes’ Give As You Go philosophy visit hayden-homes.com.
About Hayden Homes:
Established in Redmond, Oregon in 1989, Hayden Homes has provided over 27,000 new homes to price-conscious, value-driven homebuyers in underserved, secondary markets throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Hayden Homes continues to be the largest privately-owned new home builder in the Pacific Northwest. Hayden Homes exists to Give As You Go, so together we build a strong community, and lead fulfilled lives. Hayden Homes has contributed $7.1 billion to local economies and has created more than 107,000 jobs since the company’s inception. Hayden Homes supports philanthropic efforts in the communities in which they build and have contributed more than $80 million in charitable donations with the flagship of their giving through the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, First Story. To date, First Story has provided over 120 families throughout the Pacific Northwest with an affordable home and a first step toward financial freedom. The Hayden Homes brand family of companies includes Simplicity by Hayden Homes, Wise Size Homes and Hayden Homes, all providing an unparalleled selection of opportunities for those looking to purchase a new home.
About Simplicity by Hayden Homes:
Established in Redmond, Oregon in 1989, Hayden Homes has provided over 27,000 new homes to price-conscious, value-driven homebuyers in underserved, secondary markets throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. In 2009, Simplicity by Hayden Homes was founded to provide the same value of building affordable quality housing, but for customers who own land or are looking to purchase land. Today, Simplicity by Hayden Homes offers a wide variety of efficiently designed residential, workforce and investor housing plans plus the project management and construction expertise to guide our clients through the building journey with honesty, integrity, and respect. Together with Hayden Homes Simplicity by Hayden Homes exists to Give As You Go, so together we build a strong community, and lead fulfilled lives.
About First Story:
First Story’s mission is to address the affordable housing crisis in the Northwest. First Story uses an integrated approach to affordable housing by giving individuals a hand up to homeownership while encouraging inclusivity. First Story collaborates with builders Hayden Homes and Simplicity by Hayden Homes and in-kind partners to construct or fully refurbish homes. The homes are then sold to individuals and families earning 80 percent of area median income or below through First Story’s innovative loan program, which provides loans at zero-down, zero-percent interest for 30 years. First Story is an equal-opportunity, fair-housing lender. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We promote and back a positive advertising and marketing plan where everyone can access housing without being stopped due to their race, skin color, religion, gender, physical or mental challenges, family situation, or where they come from. The first eligible applicant will be selected. First Story is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Bend, Oregon, serving Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Tax ID: 91-1755886. First Story is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program; more information is available at 360-725-0377 or ccfs.sos.wa.gov/#.
