Banking on a Thanksgiving meal

Food bank distributes turkey in baskets for holiday

MOSES LAKE — While filling boxes with canned cranberries and boxed pastries Monday, Dana Simonson didn't slow down one bit.

Simonson and her two children were three of more than 25 volunteers set up at different stations at the Moses Lake Food Bank, organizing boxes and baskets full of food for families in need of a holiday meal this Thanksgiving. From turkeys to onions to cake mix to canned vegetables, just about every food item made an appearance in the distributed boxes. The Thanksgiving distribution program has been a staple of the food bank annually for its nearly 50 years of existence.

For Simonson and her kids Sarissa and Rebekah, volunteering meant sifting through various shopping carts and organizing baskets full of non-perishable food for turkey baskets. The program is one the Simonsons have been looking forward to since they first began with volunteering for the program last November.

"They just had so much fun, they enjoyed it so much," Simonson said of her family.

Food bank assistant executive director Peny Archer said the distribution was geared strictly for the November holiday, and patrons began receiving turkey and other sides needed to celebrate a Thanksgiving meal Monday afternoon.

The food bank has traditionally distributed the turkey baskets to more than 1,200 families in the Moses Lake area during the three-day period before Thanksgiving, and food bank executive director Linda Finlay said the program continues to grow every year.

The distribution again proved busy this week, as the parking lot packed full at the food bank's center on Marina Drive. Volunteers have spent the mornings preparing for afternoon distribution, and gave more than 600 basket-Monday and more than 450 on Tuesday. Distribution was scheduled to conclude Wednesday afternoon.

Food bank officials distribute food based upon the federal poverty guidelines, and for people who reside within the bank's service area. Archer said other area food banks have held similar distributions this week. Archer added the food bank works hard to serve the people who utilize their services.

"Life has already hit these folks," Archer said. "We work very hard to treat them with dignity and respect."