Struggling to fill the need
Valley Food bank puts out the call for turkeys and any other donations for holidays
The annual struggle to find enough food and frozen turkeys to hand out at Thanksgiving is well under way at the Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank. But this year may be worse than ever in the face of the slumping economy and the closure of the St. Vincent de Paul food bank.
“We’re up in numbers in the food bank right off the bat,” said Spokane Valley Partners director Ken Briggs. “It’s just across the board.”
The Valley food bank is supported entirely by donations, and donations have been down as more and more people are struggling. Overall, the food bank is serving 13 percent more people than last year. “It’s a challenging time for us,” Briggs said.
Last Thanksgiving the food bank helped 700 families and expects to be able to do the same this year, but that may not be enough. “I’m sure the requests will go up,” said program director Connie Nelson. “Whether or not we can do that … .”
Some Valley churches are having a competition to see which congregation can donate the most turkeys. Whatever comes in the door will be a welcome sight, said food bank director Barbara Bennett. “We’ll be happy to take any turkeys we can get,” she said. “Second Harvest has promised us 500.”
People who visit the food bank in November will be given a chance to sign up for an appointment to pick up a Thanksgiving food basket. The food will be handed out by appointment only on Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving. “That way we don’t have 1,400 people in the parking lot at the same time,” Bennett said. People must make an appointment to receive a basket.
But what really has Bennett and Briggs worried is Christmas. They’ll have to somehow lay their hands on another 700 or so turkeys in less than a month and most of the area food drives are focused on Thanksgiving. Plus they will be looking for donations for the annual Season of Sharing program, which provides gifts to low-income children. “We consider that as important as food,” Briggs said.
In addition to turkeys for Thanksgiving, the food bank needs items likes canned pumpkin, Jell-O, canned cranberries and vegetables, stuffing, gravy, canned beans and other traditional holiday foods. Donations can be dropped off at 10814 E. Broadway Ave.