'It will help make ends meet'

POST FALLS — As Sharon Beamer waited in line to receive food assistance on Wednesday, she pondered how much the lift will help her and her family.

"It will help me make ends meet," the Post Falls woman said with a slight smile. "I live on a fixed income, so this will make my food bill stretch. I was not able to get my vegetables to can this year, so this will help. It's a blessing that this (distribution) is happening."

Nearly 500 residents received more than 13,000 pounds food during the event at the Post Falls Senior Center. The distribution was a collaboration between Second Harvest Food Bank, the senior center, Walmart and volunteers.

Beamer said she has lived in Post Falls for 59 years and is still amazed how the community comes through for people in need.

The food, she said, will allow her and her family to apply the funds she saved on her food bill to other needs such as utilities or medications.

Beamer said her family plans to go deer hunting this fall to supplement its food needs. The family also makes its own cheese to stretch its food bill as well.

Any leftover fruit from the food distribution will be canned, Beamer said.

"Nothing goes to waste," she said.

The distribution included milk, watermelons, potatoes, onions, apples and other food items. Other assistance agencies had booths inside the senior center to serve the attendees.

"It's nice to see organizations be so charitable," said Coeur d'Alene's Bob Mood as he waited in line to receive food. "I'm on disability so this really helps us out."

Valerie Shell of Post Falls said she didn't feel like she wanted to receive the assistance, but it was necessary.

"Sometimes you're forced to take," she said softly. "Sometimes you don't have money to go to the grocery store."

Beamer said receiving the food was especially important on Wednesday with the possibility of food stamps being suspended or delayed if the federal government shuts down.

Post Falls' Barb Jones gave volunteer Jacob Reynolds, a student at New Vision High School, a hug after he carried the food to her van.

"I think this is great because there's people in need of help all the time," Jones said.

Reynolds said he was happy to assist during the event.

"I've personally needed this (help), and I like to help people," he said. "It doesn't have to be about getting paid. I just enjoy being here."

New Vision student James Benson was all smiles as he handed out watermelons to residents.

"I enjoy helping the community, especially elderly people because they get pushed away from society and can be alone," he said.