The Spray General Store in Spray, Oregon, is set to receive some significant upgrades, functionally transforming into a more robust community hub. A grant from the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) will facilitate essential improvements, such as installing a much-needed heating system. This comes as a boon to the community's 159 residents, who have come to rely on the store for more than just goods but also as a center for artistic expression and social gatherings.
Joni Kabana, who took ownership of the store three years ago, has been the catalyst behind the transformation. Originally intending to use the space for her creative projects, Kabana's vision evolved into creating a community stronghold. Kabana has turned to grants and donations to fund these ongoing changes, recently receiving $26,300 from an OREM grant. As per the Oregon Department of Human Services, Kabana shared, "Rarely do we get funding for building issues. That bathroom and kitchen are really freezing. We would hear people scream when they went into the bathroom. Getting heat in the kitchen and bathroom is going to be a game changer for us."
The grant, part of a $10 million initiative to develop Resilience Hubs across Oregon, was awarded based on a competitive process with more than 700 applicants. Spray General Store stood out due to its integral role during a past forest fire, providing much-needed resources like air filters and water to anyone in need. Ed Flick, OREM Director, explained the impact of the store in an interview with the Oregon Department of Human Services: "When I went to visit, I opened the doors and there were air filters, water for people. It was a perfect example of what a resilience hub is."
