Food bank distributes record amount of toys

Children receive two Christmas gifts each

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake children received twice the joy this year, after a record number of toys came in to the food bank.

"Most of the 1,473 children received two beautiful gifts," said Moses Lake Food Bank Executive Director Linda Finlay.

Last year, approximately 1,400 children showed up and received one gift each.

Several businesses offered collection boxes where people could drop off toys. In addition, members of the Unchained Brotherhood Motorcycle Club collected $10,000 in toys and bikes.

"It was truly spectacular," said Assistant Executive Director Peny Archer. "I mean, the community really needs to be proud of themselves."

Archer said the organization brought in 14 bikes for children.

"Most of those went to children that were victims of domestic violence in their life," she said.

Several members of the Unchained Brotherhood volunteered during the toy distribution as well.

"That's really what it's all about, giving," Finlay said. "Well, I tell you, it was giving."

The Unchained Brotherhood took leftover gifts to a low-income neighborhood and distributed them to children from their motorcycles.

In addition to the other distributions, the food bank provided toys and food to families of three veteran associations, Archer said.

"It was the greatest toy distribution I've seen in 20 years," Finlay said.

While parents picked up toys, children got to meet Santa Claus, played by Archer's husband Rich Archer. Each year Rich Archer greets the children, giving out small toys and candy.

"(I've) had more than one mother tell me, this is the only Santa (the kids) ever see," Peny Archer said.

Archer said giving out toys is a win-win situation for food bank helpers and for families. The food bank is doing good, and giving out the toys makes staff feel good.

"Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, I go to sleep with a smile on my face," she said.