In the mid 1960's, the basic life needs of many in East Multnomah County were not being met by any agency or organization.  About 25 area churches stepped in to help fill the void felt by so many residents.  Snow-CAP -- Suburban Neighborhoods Operation Witness Community Action Program -- was born on January 16, 1967. 

The purpose of Snow-CAP was to discover the real needs in the area, communicate them, and assist residents, church and community leaders to meet those needs individually and cooperatively.  The organization adopted a philosophy that "Snow-CAP will cross lines of race, religion, national origin, and economic status, hoping to coordinate and act as a barometer, correcting conditions which call for improvement."

The area covered by Snow-CAP was bounded by East 82nd Street, the Columbia River, and the Clackamas County line -- including Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village. 

Originally three centers were set up.  Rev. Wendall Jacobsen, pastor of Epiphany Lutheran was overall coordinator.  
Snow-CAP -- the church-community action program of the Greater Portland Council of Churches -- was born. 

The three centers merged in 1968 and headquartered at Savage Memorial Presbyterian.  Snow-CAP was run entirely by volunteers until 1969 when Sister Gemma Kennedy was voted in as full-time director.  She was released indefinitely from her teaching assignment with the Franciscan Order, and served until 1979 when Jenny Steward became Director. 

In 1977 Snow-CAP had opened a Gresham office located at Trinity Lutheran which provided only food and informational/referral services. 

By 1980 there were 39 actively participating churches.  Snow-CAP gave away $86,400 worth of food and fed 12,350 people.  Doug Rogers became Director in 1981.

By 1983 Snow-CAP was serving 36,000 people.  Requests for help increased 155% over 1981, the last "normal" year on record.

In 1987 Snow-CAP celebrated its 20th anniversary, had 145 volunteers, one-full-time worker and 7 part-time workers.

In 1991 Judy Alley became Director.  Snow-CAP's budget of approximately $200,000 included two full-time staff members, a part-time secretary and three workers on token stipends.   200 volunteers worked for Snow-CAP.  Over 58,000 people were fed and half of those were children. 

On Snow-CAP's 25th anniversary in 1992, more than one-half million people had been served by Snow-CAP.

By the 40th Anniversary 1.4 million people had been served.  SnowCap had a staff of 7 and a budget of $500,000.  New programs included English language instruction, community gardens, and home delivered food boxes for seniors.