Arby’s has kept Christmas Bureau volunteers fed for 20 years
Just as the generous donations of community members pay for the Christmas Bureau each year, in-kind donations from businesses keep hard-working volunteers fueled while they provide a happier holiday for thousands.
Dave McGann, who owns four Arby’s locations in the Spokane area, has been donating salad and sandwiches for more than 100 hungry volunteers every day the bureau is open, a tradition that dates back about 20 years.
“There’s a lot of great volunteers that come out there each year and we just feel good about providing their lunch for them,” said Jerry Pederson, Arby’s director of operations.
Employees at McGann’s Sprague Avenue location spend a couple of extra hours each morning preparing the food before delivering it to the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, where the bureau is held.
The bureau relies on hundreds of volunteers to serve recipients, who visit the bureau to get grocery store gift certificates, new toys, books and more. Thousands of individuals and families receive the assistance during the holidays each year.
McGann and Pederson are also long-time volunteers.
“It just helps me get my heart in the right place at Christmas time,” Pederson said. “There’s a lot of need in our community. It’s really apparent when you volunteer this time of year for something like the Christmas Bureau. From a faith standpoint, we’re the hands and feet of Christ, so that’s another way I look at it, too.”
Luigi’s Italian Restaurant also donated food for the busy volunteers to enjoy as they set up the bureau prior to its opening. Luigi’s didn’t hesitate to step in and feed 120 volunteers after the House of Charity, which has provided the set-up day meal in the past, wasn’t able to because of a norovirus outbreak.
Tyler Lang, with Luigi’s, said they are grateful to the community for supporting their business and wanted to give back.
“We like to try to take care of our community as best we can,” he said. “The best way we can do that is with food.”
Many other community partners provide in-kind support to keep costs low and help make the Christmas Bureau a shining example of a truly cooperative program.
Other in-kind donors include: ABC Mini Storage, Bunzl, Cravens Coffee, Fred Meyer, Parsons Construction, Rosauers Supermarkets, St. Vincent de Paul, Wal-Mart, Albertsons & Safeway, Central Valley High School, Jim Custer Enterprises, Penske Truck Rental, Spokane Chiefs, Pizza Pipeline, Yoke’s Fresh Market, Costco, Earthworks Recycling, LCD Exposition Services, Providence Health Services, St. Mary’s Catholic School and URM.
Donations
Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists P.S., gave $12,000, writing, in part, “We are grateful for your efforts and proud to show support to this community-based organization.”
Ronald G. Schoenberger, of Liberty Lake, gave $5,000, writing, “Shirley Schoenberger looked forward to Christmas each year and thoroughly appreciated all the work being done by all of the volunteers of the Christmas Fund. For over 20 years, Shirley and I contributed to the Christmas Fund and in her honor, please find attached $5,000 so other may enjoy this wonderful season as much as Shirley did and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.”
Dr. William S. Murphy and Mary C. Murphy gave $1,500 “to help those less fortunate in their time of need.”
Kutak Rock LLP gave $1,000, writing, “Season’s greetings! In the spirit of holiday giving, it is our pleasure to enclose a check in the amount of $1,000 to be applied to the Christmas Fund.”
DIVCON, Inc., and LJ Anderson, Sean Drury, John Jessen and Ronnie Schreier gave $840, writing, “As a Spokane general contractor, we appreciate your support of local families.”
Larry and Joanna Kiewert, of Deer Park, gave $500, writing, “Good work helping Korey and Kids!” Donald Moore, of Spokane, also gave $500, writing, “A little help to brighten Spokane-area lives.”
Rhea Dow gave $500, as well as Larry and Kathy Dilley, and Robert W. Kendall, of Spokane.
Mark and Valerie Sonderen, of Spokane, gave $500, writing, “Wishing Christmas blessings to all those visiting the bureau and receiving help this special season.”
TEK Manufacturing, of Spokane Valley, gave $500.
Two anonymous donors gave $500 each.
Dad gave $500 via PayPal “In memory of Alexis Nelson who never was able to experience Christmas.”
A $500 donation reported Tuesday was mistakenly attributed to an individual; instead, it was given by the Assistants group.
Todd Caldwell of Caldwell Concrete Co. gave $350.
William and Nancy Henry gave $300 “In memory of our parents, Bo and Mary Henry, and Robert and Marian Heglar.”
An anonymous donor also gave $300 “In memory of Joanne Robinette.” Another anonymous donor gave $300, writing, “It is sure a blessing to be able to share my good fortune with others at this time. God bless what you do.”
The Spokesman-Review Craft Fair vendors gave $260.
The following donors gave $250 donations: The Baumgartners, of Spokane; Pat and Dee Cerutti, of Spokane; Hope and Gary Roszell; Robert and Susan Witte; Keri Collins, via PayPal; and Dennis Fiess via PayPal.
Evelyn S. DeFoe, of Spokane, gave $225 in memory of Dave DeFoe.
Bob and Lois Banta, of Liberty Lake, gave $200, as well as Gregory and Diane Wick, of Mead.
The following Spokane donors gave $200: Wendy Start; Barbara Augusta; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Rogers; Jack and Norma Snead; Dave and Mary Larsen; Frank and Patricia Goodman; and Shelby and Knox Pittman, who wrote, “Thumbs up for all your efforts at The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund.”
Richard D. Myers, of Spokane, gave $150, as well as Connie, Dallas and Corrine Dixon, of Spokane. John M. and Alexis Chasse, of Spokane, also gave $150, as did Heather Barbieri, of Spokane.
James and L. Jean Leiwweher, of Spokane Valley, gave $150.
Helen Marksbury gave $125, writing, “In memory of my husband, Bob.”
Nathan and Kelly Batson gave $116 via PayPal, writing, “Thank you for all you do.”
The following Spokane donors gave $100: Dean and Mary Duncan; Kenneth and Helen Evans; Chris and Jonnie Schroeder; Judith and Noble Hundley; Catherine Nemmert and Daniel Muhm; Rhonda Krause; Peggy Gazette; Joan H. Pribnow; Carol Eng; James and Lisa Northcott, in memory of their son, Andrew; Edward G. Ellefsen, in loving memory of his mother, Marjorie Ellefsen; and Mary Jane and Dave Broom “in honor of your long-time volunteer, Mick Soss.”
Other $100 donors include: Vernon and Donna Knudsen, of Spokane Valley; Richard and Teresa Hagelin; Lloyd and Lola Emter, of Veradale; Gary Mundel via PayPal, Robert Herritz via PayPal; and Cyrus McLean; Ken Gerard and Lynda Ensign, of Clayton.
James and Dixie L. Moore, of Mead, gave $100 “In memory of our parents.” Corinne Hirst, of Spokane, gave $100, writing, “You do a great job!” And Diana and Larry Helmer, of Colbert, gave $100, writing, “Thanks for all you do!”
Konni Dietz, gave $100, writing, “Merry Christmas and thanks to all of you for making this happen for those who need it.”
Two anonymous donors gave $100 each.
The Vandervert Family gave $100 in loving memory of Don.
An anonymous donor gave $97, writing, “Merry Christmas to all. Thank you for the good work you do each year. Again I give my age - 97 years old, so $97. Looking forward to the big 100.”
Mary K. Mace gave $95 via Paypal.
Bill and Sherry Hieb gave $75 via PayPal, writing, “In memory of our two mamas, Jan Neufer and Naomi Benner, who absolutely loved the Christmas season.”
Jeff Stevens gave $75 via PayPal.
Rovella and Melinda Vawter, of Spokane Valley, gave $70, writing, “Thanks for the wonderful job you do.”
The following donors gave $50: Joseph and Jean Fay, of Airway Heights; Luella M. Palmer, of Spokane; Dalton and Karen Jassman, of Spokane; Jose and Anna Maria Cepeda, of Spokane; Kay Anderson, of Spokane; Lois Albert, of Spokane; Helen McIndoe, of Spokane; Barry R. Newberry, of Spokane; Marsha Hansen of Spokane; Pat Earley and Ken Yuhasz; an anonymous donor via PayPal in memory of Bill Wagstaff; Julie Aller via PayPal; Duanning Zhou via PayPal; and Vickie Borer.
The Cross Family, of Spokane, also gave $50, writing, “This small donation is in memory of Ryan A. Cross. I hope you can use it to provide a merry Christmas for some child and family.”
Tom and Mary Christensen, of Spokane, gave $50 writing, “What a wonderful gift the Christmas Bureau is to Spokane. It is one of the many reasons Spokane is my adopted hometown. Thank you!”
Two anonymous donors gave $50 each, and Theresa Schimmels gave $50 via PayPal, writing, “For my parents, Myrna and the late Gary Schimmels, Sr.”
An anonymous donor gave $50, “In memory of Roy, who loved Christmas and children.”
Another anonymous donor gave $50, writing, “Thank you for this Christmas Fund so we can give to our community and help others.”
An anonymous donor gave $50, writing, “This year my wife and I decide to select some charitable causes and donate the money we would spend on each other. We believe this is what the Christmas spirit is about.”
Floyd and Jill Beth, of Veradale, gave $40, writing, “Thank you again for caring for the children at this time of year.”
Nancy Agres, of Spokane, gave $35.
Eldred and Bertha Hicks, of Spokane, gave $30, as well as the Anderson Family, of Spokane Valley.
Cheryl Scheideman, of Spokane, gave $25, as well as Bob and Denise Frechette, also of Spokane. Randi Marsh gave $25 via PayPal.
Lisa Gardner, of Spokane, gave $10.