Who runs the food banks?
If you are like me, you probably have never given much thought to food banks. Sure, we see food drives and sometimes think to drop a few items in the collection bin when we see one in the grocery store. Have you ever stopped to think about who runs these facilities and where they get their food? Volunteers run them. Volunteers find a spot where they can store food and make it available – and then volunteer their time to make it happen. Some do it because they were helped in the past and want to give back, some just because they see a need and want to help. Where does the food come from? I spoke with both Karen and June at West Bonner and they told me that last year they received about $2,000 from FEMA and some surplus from the government. That consists of juice, canned corn, red beans, instant mashed potatoes and fig pieces. (Fig pieces?) There is less of it now than in past years. Safeway donates surplus such as day old bread, cookies, crackers, and occasionally dairy and frozen food.
