It’s a feel-good week in Bend, with local businesses and community organizations stepping up in meaningful ways — from stocking classrooms to earning well-deserved recognition for the work they do every day.

Windermere Real Estate is hosting school supply drives to help Central Oregon students head back to class fully equipped. The initiative, reported by The Source on August 11, reflects the kind of hands-on community investment that makes Bend’s business community stand out. School supply drives ensure that kids who might otherwise go without the basics — pencils, notebooks, backpacks — start the school year on equal footing with their peers.

Meanwhile, The Source’s much-anticipated Best of Central Oregon 2026 went live on August 12, celebrating the local businesses, nonprofits, and artists that residents love most. Among the standout honorees: The Giving Plate was recognized as the Best Nonprofit Serving Basic Needs — a fitting tribute to an organization dedicated to fighting food insecurity in the region. Local artist Megan Marie Myers earned the title of Best Local Artist, shining a light on Bend’s vibrant creative community. Crabtree Architecture + Design was named Best Architect Firm, recognizing their contributions to the region’s built environment.

Other community favorites honored in the 2026 edition include Whispering Winds for Best Senior Living Community, Altius Pole Studio for Best Fitness Studio, Little Cole Coffee Co. for Best Matcha, Josie K’s Deli & Kitchen in Sunriver for Best Lunch, and The Open Door in Sisters for Best Restaurant — a reminder that great things are happening all across Central Oregon, not just in Bend proper.

Together, these recognitions paint a picture of a region rich in talent, generosity, and community spirit. Whether it’s a real estate office rallying neighbors to fill backpacks or readers casting votes for the nonprofits and small businesses that define their daily lives, Central Oregon continues to show what it means to look out for one another.

Sources: The Source – Bend, Oregon, The Source – Bend, Oregon, The Source – Bend, Oregon, The Source – Bend, Oregon