A new program is harnessing the power of texting to help locals with emergency needs.

Icon City Umatilla County went live in August and has already helped a handful of families and individuals in Umatilla County.

Marci McMurphy, coordinator for the Home for Hope Coalition, runs the program, modeled after a similar service in Bend.

Agencies refer cases to her where a local family or individual has a tangible need, such as blankets or sheetrock or furniture. Each week, McMurphy reaches out to the community to help meet one of those needs through the electronic program.

Once a week I send out an email with a specific need. They need diapers or they need a vacuum cleaner or they need beds and a little bit about the family, McMurphy said. You get the text if you’re on the list serve and it says, ‘we have a single mom who needs diapers.’ If you can help, you text back, ‘give’. If you can’t, you delete the text and that’s it.

McMurphy receives an email with a list of anyone who has offered to help. She then contacts those willing to help to arrange a time to pick up or drop off materials and make sure the offer will help meet the need.

We’re able to provide immediate solutions for immediate needs, she said, adding the system will never request monetary donations and all receipts are local.

To sign up for Icon City Umatilla County, text ICON to 35819. The program will send two-four text messages a month. To remove your number from the list serve, text Stop to the number at any time.

For more information, call 541-276-5073.