Kiwanis Food Bank supports those in need

Some 167 families utilized the Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank throughout the month of January.

Oftentimes donations can slow during the months after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. The need for food donations is still there.

The community of Sisters always steps up to help and donate food as well as volunteer hours.

For the second year in a row Sisters Elementary School students are hosting their Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive during the month of March for Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank. The event, which began on Friday, March 10, runs through Friday, March 24. This food drive is an effort to inspire donations of kid-friendly foods and raise awareness about childhood hunger in Sisters. Students are encouraged to bring in not just peanut butter and jelly but other kid-friendly foods in order to support families that utilize the local Food Bank.

The Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank recently celebrated their volunteers for 2016.

"It was an amazing year," says Kiwanian Barbara Bott. "People kept showing up (to help.) We were excited to pull in the Fire Department as volunteers this past year."

The volunteer operations of the Food Bank span about two weekdays where designated volunteers are in Redmond, Bend, and Sisters picking up food from NeighborImpact, Food 4 Less, Melvin's Fir Street Market and Ray's Food Place. Other volunteers are at the Food Bank where loads are weighed, sorted, and shelved; then all is safely put away and ready for weekly distribution on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All volunteers who contributed 20 hours or more received a mug designed by local artist Kathy Deggendorfer. This year's volunteers receiving the honor were: Carol Ast, Betsy Beaver, Phil Ashley and the Sisters-Camp Sherman fire crew.

Several people received mugs last year, but also achieved the 20-hour mark for 2016 and received a special Kiwanis Pen. They include: Marsha Allen, Dale Payne, Katie Powers, Done Rowe, Liz Weeks and Vince Wilson.

The top Food Bank donors in 2016 included all three Sisters public schools, Melvin's Fir Street Market, Mail Carrier's Food Drive, St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church, Angeline's Bakery, the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, and Sisters Community Church.

The Sisters Kiwanis Food Bank accepts donations throughout the year, and they can be dropped off at the Food Bank on Main Avenue and Oak Street on Wednesdays.