Kiwanis honors its volunteers

The Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank and its volunteers work hard every month to support Sisters families that have fallen on hard times. Kerry Bott, the Kiwanis Board Member who oversees the food bank, hosted a volunteer appreciation party last week to honor all those who served at the food bank.

Bott noted in the February Kiwanis newsletter "It (The food bank) runs so well that it's easy for the rest of us to lose sight of the significant efforts and dedication from these folks that make it happen."

In the month of January 2016, over 12,000 pounds of food, valued at over $18,700 went to 108 families in need; 30 Kiwanis volunteers and 12 community volunteers contributed 221 hours to the food bank and families in need.

NeighborImpact complimented the Sisters Food Bank saying it operates as a model for all other food banks in Central Oregon.

Last week Bott recognized 30 volunteers from four categories that help the Food Bank run so smoothly. The categories recognized included community organizations like The Roundhouse Foundation and NeighborImpact; community businesses like Ray's Food Place, Melvin's Fir Street Market, Angeline's Bakery and Café and Rainshadow Organics; Kiwanis leadership, including Naomi Rowe, Shirley Lalli, Dan Stearns and Barbara Bott; and community volunteers. Community volunteers who were recognized, Bott called "Elite Volunteers" and they each gave a minimum of 60 hours of service last year to the Food Bank.

At the event last Thursday, an original watercolor image, donated by local artist Kathy Deggendorfer was unveiled.

Community volunteers each received a coffee mug wrapped with the same image and the Kiwanis Food Bank logo. The mugs were purchased for the volunteers out of the general Kiwanis Fund as to not impact the Food Bank budget.

"I was happy to donate the original piece," says Deggendorfer. "After talking with some of the food bank volunteers, they shared the Sisters Food Bank is one of the very few places where fresh produce is given to families - most other places include quite a bit of packaged goods - that struck me. I wanted to do something with produce, so I created a big grocery bag surrounded by all the fresh produce that's donated to help provide for the local families."