Caring for Troops will need new home to carry on its work

BEND, Ore. – An organization that sends care packages to soldiers all over the world has lost its home in a local mall.

Caring For Troops has been headquartered in a large storefront donated by the Bend River Mall more than a year ago.

The mall gave up more than $60,000 in rent to house the organization. But because of upcoming mall construction, mall officials have had to ask Caring For Troops to relocate to a much smaller storefront, where it will stay through December. And after the holidays, the organization will need to find a new home.

“We’ve talked to some business leaders and real estate agents, but as of now, we don’t have any solid leads,” said the group’s founder, Dan Hulbert.

The group’s storefront has served as storage for donated items, such as food, novels and sunglasses, and has been the organization’s location for packing.

The organization is in the process of establishing its nonprofit status, making the cost of donating housing to the organization tax-deductible, Hulbert said.