FORKS — Food drives in Forks have been successful this year, netting the Forks Community Food Bank enough in cash and food to get its clients through the end of the year, said Pat Soderlind, executive director.
However, once that food is gone, likely by Saturday, it will be back to the drawing board, Soderlind said.
The cost of food is going up, she said, and that affects the food bank’s ability to purchase what food is not donated, she said.
The cost of Thanksgiving food baskets was $500 more than it was in 2010, and there was an increase in demand for Christmas baskets, she said.
Declining resources
Many families that once had two incomes are down to one.
“They can still pay the rent and the utilities, but then the money is gone,” Soderlind said.
“It’s difficult for them,” she said.
Another group that is struggling are families of illegal-immigrant fathers who have been deported she said.
The remaining family members are U.S. citizens, but with the major wage-earner gone, they are struggling to provide the basics for the children, she said.
The community stepped up when the food bank put out the word that it needed help.
“It just happens, people just come out,” Soderlind said.
Food drives have included efforts from the Forks High School boys’ basketball team, the Boy Scouts of America with the Forks Elks Lodge and the Forks Elementary School Booster Club.
Outfitters’ donation
The food bank also received several thousand pounds of food and cash donations from Forks Outfitters, 950 S. Forks Ave.
Among those organizing food drives was Ron’s Food Mart, at 170 N. Forks Ave, which collected 250 pounds of food for the food bank in a partnership with Peninsula Bottling Co., Soderlind said.
“I heard the Forks Food Bank was short on food,” said Stephanie Browning, manager of Ron’s Food Mart.
Browning worked out a deal with Peninsula Bottling Co. to turn the store’s annual holiday promotion into a community effort for the food bank.
Every customer who brought in food for donations received $1 off of a 24-pack “cube” of beverages from Peninsula Bottling Co.
Some customers brought in whole bags of food, others purchased food at the store to trade in for the discount, she said.
Donors also received an entry for a drawing for a 37-inch television.
Next year, the store’s drive may be different, Browning said.
Instead of food, Browning said she is considering teaming up with the Marine Corps League to collect Toys for Tots in exchange for the discount, she said.
The food bank at 181 Bogachiel Way is open each Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with commodities given out the last Thursday of the month.
To donate, or for more information, phone the food bank at 360-374-5547 the days it is open or Soderlind at 360-640-8211.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
