Food bank looks back at 2005

Holidays are over, families still in need as 2006 approaches

MOSES LAKE — For most people the rush of the holidays has slowed, but those who work at the Moses Lake Food Bank are not slowing down at all as 1,400 families a month will continue to need food into the new year.

On Tuesday afternoon cars flooded the food bank parking lot off of Marina Drive. On a typical day, between the hours of noon and 3:45 p.m., an average 162 families will come through the doors to receive food each day.

At the peak of the holidays, those numbers rose to 1,299 the three days prior to Thanksgiving and 814 at Christmas.

"Linda (Finlay) doesn't know the words 'We cannot help you,'" food bank project manager Peny Archer said as she can't recall a time the food bank has ever turned any families away who needed help.

Finlay has been working at the food bank for 23 years, the last seven of those working with Archer. Finlay is the executive director.

There were days when five families coming through meant a busy day for the food bank, Finlay said.

When Archer was added to the staff, the number went up to a daily average of 112 families.

Looking back on 2005, both women agree it was a good year for the food bank, although not without struggles.

In May the food bank received notice it would need to purchase a new $57,000 truck to transport frozen food to comply with state Department of Health regulations. The local community helped raise more than half the cost.

Then in August, donations at the food bank and other nonprofit agencies decreased as people gave aid to hurricane victims. Another factor was the near record low temperatures this winter, which have placed a strain on heating bill costs for needy families.

When there is a shortage of donations, they turn to the phone book in order for Finlay and Archer to start making calls to area businesses and individuals.

"Everything that affects the economy in a negative manner affects us," Finlay said.

Looking ahead to 2006, the food bank wants to continue ensuring every family who needs food has access to it. One of its bigger goals is to increase the availability of baby formula and meat for families.

Acquiring a bigger facility is a long-term goal, but as of yet there are no definite plans for the food bank to expand.

The current facility is a location both Archer and Finlay agree has worked well as it is close to the highway and the main part of town.

As for retiring from working at the food bank, neither Finlay or Archer have any intentions of leaving in the near future.

Each day the food bank gets to know the families it serves better, who they are and what their needs are, Finlay said.