Food drive yields a ton more than 2013

Posted 10/21/14

“We are just so pleased with the food drive,” Balderas said Thursday. “A very rewarding and worthwhile night.”

In addition, “we had over $1,000 in donations last night,” she said. That money will be earmarked for food they didn’t …

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Food drive yields a ton more than 2013

In the receiving line for an abundant collection of canned goods and packaged foods, work was steady for more than four hours inside the county annex Wednesday night to label and box 7,898 pounds of contributions to the fall food drive of Powell Loaves and Fishes. Around the table, from left, are Denise Kelsay, Lloyd Snyder, Dorothy Gibson, Chelle Schmidt, Leslie Dingfelder and Tammi Murdock.

Tribune photo by Dave Bonner

Posted Tuesday, October 21, 2014 8:00 am

By Gib Mathers

This year’s Loaves and Fishes food drive fetched a ton more food than last year.

Wednesday night’s food drive yielded 7,898 pounds of food. The 2013 drive produced 5,884 pounds, said Cindy Balderas, Loaves and Fishes treasurer.

“We are just so pleased with the food drive,” Balderas said Thursday. “A very rewarding and worthwhile night.”

In addition, “we had over $1,000 in donations last night,” she said. That money will be earmarked for food they didn’t get from Wednesday’s drive.

Unfortunately, organizers did not have the volunteer pool to stop at every doorstep in town, Balderas said. A lot of people brought their donations to the Park County Annex, where the pantry is located. People whose food that wasn’t collected can drop it off at the annex or deposit the items in easily distinguished collection bins located at Mr. D’s Food Center or Blair’s Market.

Loaves and Fishes is very thankful for the generosity of Powell. “We’re just thrilled to death with the food drive,” she said.

The drive loaded the pantry with lots of pasta, sauce, cereal, peanut butter, pumpkin pie mix, flour, sugar and much more, she said.

“Our shelves are full, and we’re very fortunate and pleased with our food drive,” she said.

Still, more food is welcome to keep shelves replenished. “There is always room for more,” Balderas said.

For those in need, the pantry is open from 9-11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. An individual or family can use the pantry once per month only, and they must make an appointment by calling 754-8800.

— Gib Mathers