Harvest Dance will benefit troubled Issaquah Food Bank
Nov 06 2008
A mother of four who works at a fast food restaurant recently went to the Issaquah Food Bank for help after her husband was diagnosed with cancer, her hours were cut and bills got out of hand.
“She needed diapers, money for gas to take him to Seattle for treatment,” food bank Director Cherie Meier said. “She was just crying when we were able to help her, but I probably can’t help her like that again for quite a while because I just don’t have the resources to give.”
More and more people have been going to the food bank for help in recent months, while donations and supplies are consistently dipping lower and lower.
Day-old and other donations from local grocery stores are down drastically — as much as 30,000 pounds less per month, Meier said.
“So even though we’ve been having food coming in from drives, we go through it quickly because our shelves are so unstocked,” she said. “I think for the first time in 21 years, I’ve been forced to use money from the state that I usually save (to buy goods for clients) for the holidays.”
In a few weeks, community members will have the chance to attend the first-ever Harvest Dance to benefit the Issaquah Food Bank, also known as Issaquah Valley Community Services. (Click here for details.)
“We’re hoping to raise $10,000 and have a fun event that people will want to participate in again next year,” said Bill Werner, an organizer and member of the Issaquah Masonic Lodge. Werner and David Harris, organizer of Concerts on the Green, had the idea for the event after a school supply and canned food drive at the last concert of the summer.
The event will be from 7 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 21 at Pickering Barn. The Astrocats and Magnolia Road will perform, and food vendors will include Sherm’s BBQ Bistro, Sweet Addition, Rogue Brewhouse, Lombardi’s and Amante Pizza and Pasta. Other sponsors and groups assisting include Rowley Properties, Kiwanis, Key Club, the Venturettes and the city. In addition to ticket sales, an auction and “Ask” event will benefit the food bank. Donations will be tax deductible, and credit cards will be accepted.
“I think it’s wonderful,” Meier said. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted, especially having it be an annual thing.”
The food bank’s yearly budget is about $150,000. The organization received $11,000 from the city last year, and the city also allows the food bank rent-free space downtown.
Meier emphasized that even if people can’t attend the event, any sort of help is appreciated, from volunteer hours to canned food or other supplies. They currently need meals in a can such as chili or stew, protein sources such as tuna or canned chicken, juice, diapers (particularly sizes 4, 5 and 6), and sponsors for families for the holidays.
“We’re finding more and more families are using the food bank to totally sustain them, and that’s not what we’re her for — really we’re supposed to help families for two to three days,” Meier said. “We also have a lot of new clientele who have never been in this situation.”
The organization is now serving about 420 families per week, up from the high 300s, she said.
“Every little bit counts — a lot,” Meier said. “It’d be really nice even if people can’t do a whole basket or a whole meal for a family, whatever they have to donate really does make a difference.”
To buy a ticket to the Harvest Dance ($10 now or $15 at the door), visit the Issaquah Reporter office at 1595 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite 6, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or, for more information about the food bank, visit www.issaquahfoodbank.org. Donations can be mailed to Issaquah Valley Community Services, P.O. Box 652, Issaquah, WA 98027.
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