BEND, OR -- "Bend Strong" is a new effort to honor the victims of the August 28th Safeway shooting. Bend Broadband began the campaign Thursday with a donation to Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, a nonprofit that provides basic necessities to homeless veterans and others in need.

COVO Executive Director Kathy Skidmore says they lean on the efforts of people lending a hand, “So many people with big hearts. You know we couldn’t do it without the community support. Everything in there and you see the vast amount of stuff we have is all from the community.”

Skidmore says the community rallying around COVO builds morale in the staff and for those they help who may feel marginalize, “Not only we don’t have to spend the money on it but the people that come here know that they are being supported by the community and most of the people we deal with they don’t really feel like they belong anywhere.”

Local businesses and others are encouraged to also donate time, money, or other items to nonprofits, as part of the Bend Strong campaign. Skidmore says the donated money and goods will make a big impact, “We’re a community non-profit and we’re here not only to serve the people that need help but a non-profit is an opportunity for the community to give back.”