Salvation Army gives up funds over law

PORTLAND — The Salvation Army has decided to forgo $60,000 from the city rather than offer benefits as required by Portland's new domestic-partnership ordinance.

The ordinance, which went into effect earlier this year, requires organizations that get certain funds through the city to provide health and employment benefits to domestic partners of their employees.

The Salvation Army has received $60,000 a year from the city to operate its $400,000 meals program and the city's only center for seniors.

The Salvation Army doesn't plan to challenge the ordinance and hopes to find alternative funding for its senior center and meals program, officials said.