Moses Lake Food Bank fills families' plates

Long time volunteers watch patronage grow

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Food Bank gave 252 families enough ingredients to cook up a feast its first hour of operation Monday.

About 1,200 families are expected to pass through the food bank's doors for Thanksgiving dinner during the three days before the holiday, said Executive Director Linda Finlay.

A two-day food drive at Safeway and Food Pavilion turned up 352 turkeys, $1,050 in cash and 7,122 pounds of food, Finlay said.

The food bank purchased 650 turkeys with the donated cash and plans to get more, she said.

Assistant Executive Director Peny Archer said not everyone is getting a turkey this year.

"But by far, the majority are," Archer said.

Archer and Finlay said a shortage of turkeys this year contributed to an increased cost. Other foods being handed out include fresh potatoes and onions, mixed vegetables, bread, cranberry, stuffing and dessert.

The drive was hosted by Samaritan Heathcare. Community Development Coordinator Dave Campbell said one couple donated six turkeys and a shopping cart full of food to the drive. They wished Samaritan volunteers a happy Thanksgiving and left the store.

"We are truly fortunate to live in a community that cares about everyone in the community," Campbell said.

Enid Clay said she doesn't remember exactly when she started volunteering at the food bank, but in 1980 she was a volunteer. Clay said she didn't realize how many homeless people live in Moses Lake until she became a volunteer.

"Some of them sleep in cars," she said. "It's just, I feel for them."

She said this is a busy time of year for the food bank. During other times of the year, the food bank might see 150 people in an entire day.

Volunteer Pete Younger said when he first started volunteering at the food bank nearly 10 years ago, about 30 families a day came in for food,

"It's very important. For a lot of people, even food stamps is not enough. It's not," Younger said.