Rural drop-off points added this year

With winter and the holidays ahead, shelves need to be replenished at Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes.

“We are in need of food,” said Cindy Balderas, treasurer of the local nonprofit. “We’re hoping for a large turnout.”

Volunteers will go door to door in Powell neighborhoods from 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, collecting non-perishable food donations as part of the autumn food drive.

For the first time, rural residents can drop off donations at various locations. Food items can be taken to trucks at the Clark Recreation Center, Ralston Post Office and American Dream Drive-In from 8:30 a.m. until noon Wednesday.

While the nonprofit doesn’t have the manpower to reach rural homes, this is a way for country residents to contribute toward the food drive, Balderas said.

The annual drive helps fill the pantry’s shelves following summer months, when Loaves and Fishes sees its highest usage. June was the busiest month, when food was given to 380 local individuals.

From January through September, Loaves and Fishes provided food for 2,886 individuals, who made up 777 families. (People are counted each time they utilize the food pantry.)

Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes is marking its 30th anniversary this year.

Balderas said the group’s four original members — Marge Cruz, Julie Fulton, Sharon Bailey and herself — didn’t think the local pantry would be needed for 30 years.

“We thought we would be obsolete ... we’re 30 years and counting,” she said. “We’re looking forward to a successful drive.”

Loaves and Fishes is in need of a variety of food items: canned meats, peanut butter, soup, pasta and sauce, canned vegetables and fruits, as well as cereal.

“We try to stay away from the sugary cereal, but we’ll take whatever we can get,” Balderas said.

If you won’t be home Wednesday evening, leave donations in a bag on the doorstep.

Last year, not all of the homes in town were reached, Balderas said.

Powell has gotten bigger, and volunteer participation has dwindled over the years, she said.

“We didn’t have enough groups to cover it all,” Balderas said.

If your donations aren’t collected Wednesday evening, you can take items to Mr. D’s Food Center or Blair’s Market any time. Food items also will be accepted at the Powell Post Office during its regular hours Wednesday.

All volunteer support and donations are appreciated, Balderas said.

“We’ve been blessed by the tremendous support from the community,” she said.

Hunters are asked to consider donating professionally processed meat this fall.

Balderas said the pantry also receives donated meat from businesses who buy animals at the Junior Livestock Sale each summer.

The local pantry tries to provide meat for families during the holiday season. People can donate frozen turkeys by taking them to the Park County Annex.

Loaves and Fishes also provides a $10 coupon at Thanksgiving and Christmas, which families can use toward meat for the holidays.

Monetary donations can be sent to Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes, P.O. Box 992, Powell, WY 82435.

Volunteer groups that participated in last year’s food drive include the Boys and Girls Club, Methodist youth, FFA, Hope Lutheran Church, National Honor Society, all four wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the college ward, Girl Scouts, Boy Scout Troop 144, the Builders Club and the Rocky Mountain Manor, which did its own collection.

This year, 21 groups have stepped forward to help with the food drive, including some groups from Northwest College, Balderas said.

Balderas said Loaves and Fishes appreciates all the local support, and the nonprofit keeps its shopping local when purchasing food and supplies.

“We don’t go to Costco or Wal-Mart,” she said. “We shop locally always.”