A 'blessing' on wheels
LOREN BENOIT/Press Christine Jones, right, thanks volunteer Shannon Coder with the Post Falls Police Department as she gathers groceries during the free food distribution event Wednesday in Post Falls.
Volunteer Octavian Rivas with Idaho Central Credit Union helps load groceries. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Volunteers with the Post Falls Police, Second Harvest, Idaho Central Credit Union and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue help distribute groceries for those in need at a free food distribution event Wednesday in Post Falls. The event served 254 families. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
POST FALLS — Rosann Peak was wondering how her Christmas meal was going to come together when a "blessing" rolled up on Wednesday.
The Rathdrum woman and her sister-in-law, Teresa Wasileski, were first in line for the Second Harvest Mobile Food Bank's free food distribution. They got prime position by arriving an hour early at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue's training facility.
"This will make Christmas feel like Christmas," Peak said, fighting back tears. "It's a changing world that's getting harder."
Peak said she's on disability so she was thankful to receive a pork roast, fruit, vegetables, bread and other items at the event sponsored by Idaho Central Credit Union.
"I'm in a happy spot," she said as Christmas music sounded in the background.
About 11,000 pounds of food were distributed to 254 families in need — no questions asked. Roughly 500 pounds of food that weren’t distributed went to the Post Falls Food Bank.
"Each family receives 30 to 40 pounds of food," said Todd Kennedy, Second Harvest's mobile market coordinator. "It's everything they need for Christmas."
Wasileski, who is also on disability and whose husband recently retired, said the food will go a long way toward making Christmas brighter for her family. Her granddaughter, Delilah, lives with her, so even the snacks are appreciated.
"It takes some of the stress off and helps a lot," she said. "Many people can't afford to live on their own these days."
Hayden's Virginia Saucier said the food distribution means she'll be able to put food on the table for her grandchildren who live with her.
"My daughter is a single mom, so I take care of the kids while she works the early shift," Saucier said. "I'm on Social Security and I don't get a lot of food stamps, so every little bit helps."
Employees from Post Falls Police, ICCU, Second Harvest and KCFR were among those who volunteered at the event, loading up boxes and taking them to vehicles.
"Everybody is really appreciative — a lot of 'thank yous' and 'merry Christmases,'" said Post Falls police Lt. Mark Brantl.
About 60 people lined up before the two-hour distribution started.
"It's humbling because of the line of people who were waiting," said Anne Hagman, ICCU's business development officer. "These are our neighbors. This is really a community event, and we love being included."
Julie Humphreys, Second Harvest's community relations manager, said winter is when people have added expenses such as increased heating bills. She said in many cases parents won't eat a meal so their children can.
"The first thing that some people sacrifice is food," she said. "People shouldn't have to decide between a winter coat and food, but many do."
Humphreys said it’s hard for people to receive help, but the need is obvious.
"Nobody will stand in a line outside in the cold for food if they don't need it," she said.