FOOD BANK: Meeting volunteer needs

Recently, I asked Editor Mike Patrick if he could help out with an article for the Community Action Food Bank. The very next day he sent one of his staff reporters, Elli Hilbert, to the food bank to speak with our manager, Darrell Rickard, about our needs.

What we desperately needed were drivers for our vans, no special license needed. Other volunteer positions to sort and prepare food boxes.

The food bank is open Monday — Friday. We have two vans that go to many stores every day. The food bank has two paid employees in the warehouse. All other positions are volunteers, people who sort, drivers and helpers and other volunteers who prepare the food boxes. Due to COVID, the food bank is by appointment only.

How it works — you call the day before you wish to come in and you will be given a time to pick up your food box. Once there, a volunteer will take your name and push a cart out to the sidewalk where you will load it into your car.

Sounds simple enough. What many people do not realize is the food bank does not exist without volunteers. No volunteers, no food bank.

Are you bored, tired of watching television or maybe you just want to give back? Come on down and try it, just 4 hours or less, once a week is all that is requested.

Many thanks to Mike Patrick and the CDA Press for their article. Due to their article we have received more drivers and other volunteers.

GEORGE SILVA

Coeur d’Alene