News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The annual holiday food drives are underway in Sisters and the Sisters Kiwanis Club is encouraging those in need to apply for the Kiwanis Holiday Food Share program.
The program offers a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, along with pet food for family companions provided through the Furry Friends Pet Food Drive.
Kiwanis member David Hiller notes that the program is shifting to accommodate people who have recently fallen on hard times.
The program is available to "anybody who is struggling this year," Hiller explained. "If you truly feel you need it, we are there for you. Applications are still available. You can get them through FAN; all the churches have them and the Fire Hall has them."
According to Hiller, the recession that has struck Central Oregon with great force has shifted the demographics of those served by the program.
"There are people who had high incomes that no longer have them," he said.
Hiller noted that it isn't easy sometimes for people to acknowledge that they need help.
"This is a new thing for some people," he said. "We want to encourage them to come join the community. We're there for everybody."
The application deadline is December 18.
The community's generosity in supporting the Kiwanis Food Bank means that donations are not needed this year, Hiller noted.
"We do not need any money given to the food share program or the food bank," he said.
Instead, Kiwanis is encouraging people to donate new, unwrapped toys to the Sisters fire department's annual gift drive. Contact Dave Wheeler at 541-549-0771 for information on that program.
The Sisters High School Key Club is launching its annual food drive this week.
"It'll be a class competition to see which class raises the most donations," said faculty advisor Michelle
Hammer.
Last year's drive brought in just over 4,000 items, hammer reported.
In addition to nonperishable foods, the drive is collecting hygiene items and household paper products, which will be donated to Sisters FAN. Donations may be dropped off at the front office at Sisters High School.
"It's a student-driven drive," hammer said. "They put the whole thing together."
Donations are needed for the Furry Friends Pet Food Drive. Donations of dry pet food may be dropped off at 442 E. Main Ave. Cash donations are especially helpful; they allow target purchasing of needed items. Feed can also be purchase at Sisters Feed and they will deliver.
For more information on Furry Friends, call 541-549-9941.
The Holiday Food Share Christmas meals will be distributed on Thursday, December 23, at Sisters Elementary School. Participants will receive a card in the mail with a pickup time.
"The time on the card is when we ask people to come for the distribution of food," Hiller said.
The Kiwanian said that applications are on a pace to match last year's distribution, which helped 210 families.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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