The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Liz Weeks has been volunteering at the Kiwanis Food Bank (KFB) for over six years — and has no plans to stop.

“Every one needs help sometimes,” Liz says. “It’s very satisfying to assist our clients in getting the food they need. I want all our clients to feel welcome and understand we can help.”

Before the COVID-19 crisis, Liz volunteered at the KFB every Thursday for the five hours they were open.

“I enjoyed getting to know our clients, finding ingredients they needed to cook in the kitchen, or finding food they could cook outside,” she said.

During the disruptions of the COVID-19 shutdown, the Food Bank had to shift its mode. Clients parked outside and got a menu and order number, choosing 35-40 items. Weeks was one of the volunteers who then filled their shopping cart.

Liz has also volunteered at the Tigard overnight shelter, Portland’s Potluck in the Park and the Boys and Girls Club. At one Central Oregon women’s prison, she taught quilting for two years, and has continued to help by accepting donations to be delivered.

Former Food Bank resource officer Tom Hespe said Weeks is one of the “hearts” at the Kiwanis Food Bank.

“Liz is very dedicated and very honest with feedback or suggestions. During the cold winter months, the big pots of baked beans prepared for brunch by Liz were greatly appreciated by all our clients.”

Like Liz, about 50 percent of the Food Bank volunteers are community volunteers, not members of the Kiwanis?Club.

The Kiwanis Food Bank is fully stocked now. They encourage anyone who has food or supplies to give as much as they can to other Sisters nonprofit organizations or to other Central Oregon Food Banks.