Alphabet soup

MOSES LAKE — Since Linda Finlay became Director of Moses Lake Food Bank in 1989, she has been a driving force in the program's success.

She began volunteering at the Food Bank in 1981 as a way to fill the need in the community. At that time, the food bank served two to three families and was located at Midway Elementary School. As a result of the dedication of Finlay, her assistant Peny Archer, and their numerous volunteers, the food bank now serves between 170 and 185 families from its own building.

This non-profit, tax-exempt program is federally funded and consists of two forms of assistance. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is monthly shipments of food stored at the food bank for needy families to collect once a week.

Peny Archer runs TEFAP and is on various program boards.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) is different from TEFAP as it provides financial and food assistance in the form of vouchers for stores and gas stations. Finlay runs EFAP. Moses Lake gets the most assistance in Grant County.

Finlay served several terms on Washington's first EFAP board called the "Task Force." She has also served on the WAFC Coalition and TFAP boards. In 1989, Finlay applied to the board of directors and was given the position of executive director of MLFB. She oversees both the TEFAP and EFAP programs and directs 22 volunteers. She says the food bank has had "tremendous support from the community."

Finlay especially enjoys when high school students serve their community service hours at the food bank, because she believes, "it is important for young people to realize the need to help the others."

The food bank receives numerous donations of food from local churches and the school district. Last year the food bank distributed 1.8 million pounds of donated food. Most of the food was meat and baby formula.

When asked if there are people who abuse their service, Finlay replied, "We're not here to judge. The majority of people who come in genuinely need help."

The food bank also runs Operation Friendship in December. They distribute donated toys to well over a thousand children in the community who otherwise wouldn't receive Christmas gifts.

Besides her work at food bank, Finlay served different communities in other ways.

After growing up in Alaska, she moved to Seattle, then to Moses Lake in 1980. For many years, she volunteered for the school district in activities such as a reading tutor. She also volunteered as a caregiver at Lake Ridge Nursing Home. Finlay's motivation for her avid community service is she enjoys people, especially the youth and seniors, and feels the need to be connected.

Her life's credo is Allen Feinstein's quote, "To better one life is the better the world."

Finlay's hobbies include Jazzercise, dancing, and spending time with her two children and grandchild.

Her philosophy is everyone, at one point in their lives, will have to ask for help and she wants all of her volunteers to have respect for all their clients.

After 38 years of service at the food bank, Finlay sees the TEFAP and EFAP assistance programs growing tremendously.

She dedicated a large part of her life to serving the community through volunteering and doesn't foresee herself retiring anytime soon. Her concern is if she retires, there would be no one to replace her who was dedicated enough to maintain the food bank's success.

But Finlay found Archer and it erased her fear.

"I know the program is in good hands if Peny were to take over, because she has just as much of a genuine concern for helping the needy as I do," said Finlay.