Cupboards Are Bare At Valley Food Bank

Boxes are stacked to the ceiling at the Valley Food Bank.

Unfortunately, most are empty.

Lagging donations have left the food bank struggling just as it heads into the busy holiday season, said Barbara Bennett, food bank manager. Last month’s campaign by real estate agents brought 1,600 pounds of food into the food bank, down from the 6,000 to 8,000 pounds typically generated by the agents’ annual effort. Individual donations also are down.

Many of the shelves in the food bank’s stock room are nearly bare. They’re usually overflowing this time of year, Bennett said.

Immediate needs are using up the food bank’s resources, making it hard to stockpile for holiday food baskets.

Currently, the food bank gives away 5,000 pounds of food each week. It serves about 1,600 Valley residents each month.

Slack donations have forced Bennett to seek additional help from the Spokane Food Bank. The regional food bank distributes food to 19 agencies in Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana.

Overall demand at those agencies has increased 14 percent since July, said Ann Price, a Spokane Food Bank manager.

Demand may increase even more as the weather turns colder and higher heat bills eat away at scarce resources, Price said.

If the situation doesn’t improve, Valley Food Bank may need to do some fund-raising. Until now, individual and group donations have been enough.

Can you help?

The Valley Food Bank needs all types of food products, but especially soup, pasta, peanut butter, canned tuna and holiday foods. Donations are accepted at the food bank, 11922 E. First, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

, DataTimes