State to visit food bank in July

by Lynne Lynch<br> Herald Staff Writer
| June 24, 2010 1:00 PM

MOSES LAKE — The state Department of Commerce (DOC) is visiting the Moses Lake Food Bank in July.

At that time, the state agency completes a routine monitoring of contractors, said Penny Thomas, a spokesperson for the state agency.

There were no significant findings during the last visit.

No findings were reported during the last financial audit done by an independent auditor, she said.

The Moses Lake Food Bank is one of the DOC’s contractors for food bank services, with between eight and 10 subcontractors, she explained.

“We’re working with the interim director (Peny Archer) now,” Thomas explained. “There are no issues on our radar.

It’s likely staff will also offer technical assistance for the interim director because of the April resignation of Linda Finlay, the food bank’s former executive director.

Susan Eichrodt, program manager of the DOC’s Emergency Food Assistance Program, said the state agency focuses on program compliance during its monitoring visits.

The state sees if client eligibility standards are available in writing, client privacy programs are in place and ensures funds are being spent on identified, allowable costs, she explained.

“We’re making sure the lead agency is doing all that and that they’re monitoring subcontractors to make sure they are following the program,” Eichrodt commented.

The DOC also looks at a month of expenditures.

The food bank operates with the help of a two-year, $254,288 grant from state general funds, some administrative funds accompanying U.S. Department of Agriculture food, FEMA and United Way funds, and private donations, she said.

Up to 10 percent of the state grant can be spent on administrative costs.

The food bank also receives a significant amount of donated food, she said.

“They’ve been a pretty good contractor,” Eichrodt says. “There’s no big issues with them. The resignation of Linda came as a surprise to us, as with everyone.”