2024 Community Survey

Local Businesses Support WAGAP Community Needs Assessment

Survey offered online and on paper in English, Spanish

Bingen, WA (July 25, 2024) — Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is conducting a new Community Needs Assessment now through September 30 to align its strategies and service priorities with current needs. Surveys in English and Spanish are available online at wagap.org/survey or at one of the WAGAP Food Bank Offices in Bingen, Stevenson, or Goldendale.

“As a Community Action Agency supporting the needs of Skamania and Klickitat counties, we must stay in contact with the people we serve,” said Jennifer Pauletto, WAGAP’s executive director. “Our last assessment was conducted in 2020. It’s time we reevaluate our communities’ needs so we can focus on programs that will have the biggest positive impact on low-income individuals and families.”

Pauletto said that program funding comes from a wide range of sources, including Federal, State, and Local grants, which have various eligibility requirements. The updated assessment will help WAGAP maintain its eligibility with funders such as the Washington State Department of Commerce. It is also a very useful tool for other partners in the service area who draw information from the finished report for their work, which often complements WAGAP activities. 

Surveys are open to adults aged 18 and over. Local businesses are teaming up to offer some fun incentives. For every completed survey, one per person, Beneventi’s Pizza in Bingen and Tony’s Pizza in Goldendale are offering one free slice of pizza, and A&J Market in Stevenson is offering a $5 coupon at its hot deli counter. 

When WAGAP hosts a table at local events over the next few months, they will also have paper copies and QR codes available for the public to quickly find the survey online. To get a good sampling of information, the goal is to collect at least 600 surveys from a wide range of residents. 

“We know surveys are not exciting, but they are essential to our mission at WAGAP,” Pauletto said. “We are deeply grateful for everyone who participates and for Beneventi’s, Tony’s, and A&J Market for offering a little something to make it worth the 10 minutes time that a community member will spend sharing information about the challenges and opportunities of everyday life in our two counties.”

To learn more about WAGAP’s' mission and programs, visit wagap.org for information and office locations.