FOOD BANKS: Worthy of support

My favorite magazine — The Economist — is a knowledgeable and durable publication, closing in on its 200th anniversary. Not long ago it had an insightful article about charities. As we all know, many are frauds and steal billions of dollars from unsuspecting donors every year. Many more are legitimate and deserve the support they receive from donors. When asked to pick the one type of charity that gets the most bang for the bucks they receive, food banks come out on top. This is not to demean other types of charities, as the legitimate ones all provide fantastic aid and assistance to their clientele. But food banks, because of their simple business plan and stripped down overhead, really shine.

Because of The Economist endorsement, I recently became a volunteer at the Post Falls Food Bank on Third Street. It is a chaotic, but amazing place. Tons of food from generous donors passes through it every year. It all has to be processed and made available to clients. It is a huge never-ending job, and there only six paid employees. The rest are volunteers. And we need help.

So, if you’re not completely caught up in life’s whirlwind and can spare a few hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., come on down and see us at 415 E. Third Ave. in Post Falls. Meet the staff and some of the volunteers. We are all dedicated to helping people, especially families, who need a bit of a boost to get by. When they look you in the eyes and tell you how much they appreciate what the Food Bank means to their lives… well, it’s a feeling I wouldn’t trade for anything! So come join us and become a volunteer. I promise you it’s an experience that you’ll treasure for the rest of your lives.

One final note: I understand Hayden and Coeur d’Alene also have food banks. So, if another food bank is more convenient, consider volunteering there. All food banks provide a wonderful, and, unfortunately, necessary service.

PETER McPHEE

Post Falls