Food bank workers reflect on holiday giving

MOSES LAKE — Food bank workers across the Columbia Basin reported seeing an increase of families and community support over the holidays.

“We received a lot of support from the community both from food and other donations made during Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Bob Fuller, vice chairman for the Othello Food Bank. “The holidays are just a great time, where folks in Othello are really generous.”

Moses Lake Food Bank executive director Linda Finlay said she saw a record of 1,476 families coming for food during Thanksgiving. Food bank volunteers gave about 2,307 low-income children presents for Christmas.

“I deeply appreciate the community for supporting us, not just over the holidays, but for the entire year,” Finlay stated.

Fuller noticed a considerable increase in needy families coming to the food bank for food this year.

“We have around 80 families for every two-hour session and there are always long lines of people outside before we open,” Fuller said. “Need is considerable.”

Fuller said the Othello Food Bank serves many migrant workers.

“I’ve noticed that migrant families use to go south for the holidays in previous years, but now they are sticking around,” Fuller said. “This is probably due to the downward economy, the price of gas and border violence.”

This means the food bank has more families to serve year-round.

“We serve quite a few folks out here,” Fuller said. “It’s more migrant workers, but it is also people I’ve never seen before that have lost their jobs, their jobs have been cut back or they lost benefits.”

Grant County food banks had a 28 percent increase in customers needing service from last year. Adams County food banks had a 63 percent increase this year.

“We really need support from folks year-round,” Fuller said. “People are very generous in this community and we would like to see that continue.”

Where to donate:

• Ephrata Food Bank is located at 1010 A St. S.E. For more information, call 509-754-5772.

• Mattawa Food Bank is located at Morris Schott Middle School, 500 N. Boundary Road. For more information, call 509-932-4082.

• Moses Lake Food Bank is located at 1075 W. Marina Drive. For more information, call 509-765-8101.

• Othello Food Bank is located at 949 Main St. For more information, call Bob Fuller at 509-488-6392.

• Quincy Community Food Bank is located at 210 1st Ave. S.E. For more information, call 509-787-4963.

• Royal City Food Bank is located at 229 1/2 Balsam St. For more information, call 509-346-9334.

• Soap Lake Food Bank is located at 325 Main Ave. E. For more information, call 509-246-0164.

• Warden Food Pantry is located on the corner of 5th and Maple. For more information, call 509-349-2444.