Food bank is well stocked for now

The cupboard is full at the Kiwanis Food Bank. In fact, it's overflowing, thanks to the generosity of local people and organizations.

Food bank coordinator David Hiller said food drives and individual donations brought in thousands of pounds of food during the last few weeks. A significant percentage will be boxed at Sisters Fire Hall and distributed in Christmas baskets this week.

Hiller said the holiday food drive and financial donations make the Christmas Food Share program possible. About $6,000 in donations will buy perishables such as turkeys, hams, apples, and celery that will be added to the baskets.

The year-round food bank is supported by donations, the Deschutes United Way, Central Oregon Community Action Agency Network and Oregon Food Share. Every other month the local bank receives 4,000 to 5,000 pounds of food from Oregon Food Share, which provides the majority of the food that's distributed. Local businesses also donate food or provide it at cost to the food bank.

Twelve volunteers staff the office and distribute the food. Hiller said that dozens of other volunteers help out.

"So many give a lot of their time. Everybody needs to be recognized so it's hard to mention any one person. We just want everyone to know how much appreciation we have for them," Hiller said.

Although Hiller hesitated to single out any individual, he did mention one special couple "who've been on a fixed income and who have donated every month for years." He says Irene and Ed Wendell just "did it out of the goodness of their hearts."

Hiller's thoughts are particularly with the Wendells since "Irene just passed, and a memorial service was held for her this week."

Eighty local families are registered at the food bank. They qualify for the program by meeting Department of Agriculture income requirements, which range from incomes of less than $1,219/month for two people to less than $1,847/month for a family of four. Once a month the families receive food to last them three to five days. Hiller points out that the food bank is only intended as a supplement to a family's needs.

Hiller said the food bank's clients include two working parents trying to make ends meet, seasonal workers who have been laid off, single parents raising kids, and two-parent families with children and one wage earner.

"We have terrific clients, families that are wonderful and whatever we can do to help them, I think that's our job," Hiller said.

"Sometimes those that have don't always have a good understanding of those that don't, but I think the health and vitality of our community is dependent on everyone helping everyone," he said. "I want our clients to know that we honor them, that this is not charity, that we're there just to give help and we are proud and happy to do it."