Thanksgiving donations sought for food bank
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald Andy Pinson (foreground) and Casey Carpenter were among the volunteers distributing Thanksgiving baskets at the Moses Lake Food Bank drive last year. Distribution this year is scheduled for Nov. 19 through 21.
Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald Volunteer Andrew Mansfield distributes potatoes as part of the annual Moses Lake Food Bank Thanksgiving basket distribution last year. This year’s distribution is Nov. 19-21.
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Food Bank is looking for donations for its annual Thanksgiving basket distribution, and it being Thanksgiving, they need turkeys.
A lot of turkeys – food bank director Peny Archer said the organization needs somewhere between 1,300 to 1,500 turkeys to ensure each family receives one. That’s not all, of course; food bank operators are soliciting donations of fruit and vegetables, potatoes and onions, stuffing mix and broth, gravy, rolls, cans of olives and cranberries. Thanksgiving distribution also traditionally includes extras, like eggs and bread.
Donations will be accepted through closing time on the last day of distribution, Archer said.
Distribution is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Nov. 19 through 21. Drive-through distribution will be Nov. 19. Some volunteers are needed to help distribute food, especially on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21, Archer said.
And since it’s also the Christmas season, the food bank is soliciting donations of toys. If Thanksgiving focuses on food, “Christmas is for toys,” Archer said. Donations should be unwrapped and should cost about $10 to $15, and it’s better to have a lot of less expensive toys than fewer, more expensive toys, she said.
Toys can be dropped off at the food bank from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, when the food bank crew is working.
Families can sign up for toy distribution beginning the first week in December, Archer said. Distribution is scheduled for Dec. 15.