Volunteers keep Thanksgiving food distribution running smoothly

MOSES LAKE — The customers drove up and the volunteer crews went into action. 

Bags of onions and potatoes, turkeys or chickens, the makings of a Thanksgiving dinner were loaded – with some hash browns for breakfast – and the cars waved through. The Moses Lake Food Bank distributes Thanksgiving baskets the three days leading up to the holiday, and traditionally Monday is drive-thru day. 

Operations Manager Peny Archer estimated the food bank would distribute about 2,000 Thanksgiving boxes over the three days. People are encouraged to come on Monday, so volunteers can provide help in loading the food. Food bank customers followed that advice. 

“This is business as usual. Bumper to bumper, and it will be all day,” Archer said.  

The line snaked down Beacon Road and wrapped around Stewart Drive, volunteers directing traffic along the way. Many were from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Archer said.  

Patricia Dungan directed traffic, telling drivers when to move forward and when to stop.  

“It’s my birthday today,” she said as she joked with people waiting for poultry.  

It was a good way to spend her birthday, she said. 

“I do it to help,” Dungan said. 

Marcus Anderson said working the distribution line was a way to do something for the community.  

“It’s just to give back. And bless people,” he said. 

Michael Roelle works at the food bank as part of a job-training program, but he’s volunteered on drive-thru day in the past, he said. 

“To help out the people,” he said when asked what prompted him to volunteer. “I think that’s what God wants me to do.” 

Rolle is also a volunteer during the food bank’s toy distribution, Operation Friendship. The best part of that day is the children who meet Santa and get some candy.  

“It makes their day,” Rolle said. “They do little dances and stuff.” 

Archer said donations are being accepted for Operation Friendship; toys are distributed to families in mid-December.  

Toys should be for children 12 years of age and younger, new and unwrapped. They can be dropped off at the food bank, 9299 Beacon Road NE. 

    Michael Roelle picks up a turkey to load for a customer at the Moses Lake Food Bank Monday.
  

    Jamie Wolfe, left, and Marcus Anderson, right, load potatoes for a food bank client.
  

    A Moses Lake Food Bank employee found a hat appropriate to the occasion at the Thanksgiving drive-thru.