Bags provided in the mail for city residences

On Wednesday evening, youth will be going door to door, collecting food for Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes as part of the annual fall drive. For the first time in the autumn drive, the local food pantry is providing city residents with a bag for their food donations.

“We’re trying to figure out the easiest way for people to respond to our plea for help,” said Cindy Balderas, treasurer for Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes.

Providing bags to residents “has worked pretty well for the postal food drive in the spring,” she said.

Bags were delivered in the mail this week to in-town residences, and folks are asked to place non-perishable food items in the bag.

“We’re hoping people will use them and return them,” Balderas said.

Youth groups will canvass the community between 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday to collect the bags. Boys and Girls Club kids will collect food in the neighborhoods around the club in the afternoon.

“If you’re not going to be home Wednesday evening, then leave the bag on your doorstep,” Balderas said.

The pantry can only accept non-perishable food, such as canned or boxed goods, and food must be professionally processed.

Loaves and Fishes has held the annual fall food drive for more than 20 years, and it helps replenish the pantry’s shelves.

“Our shelves are pretty bare right now,” she said.

From January to August, 2,337 people, making up 664 families, utilized the pantry. (Recipients are counted each time they get food, so that figure does not represent the number of individuals.)

The fall drive is especially important following busy summer months.

Donations often are down in the summer, but usage is up with more kids home from school.

“In August alone, we had 99 families,” Balderas said. “We never have any less than 60 families per month.”

Loaves and Fishes leaders hope Wednesday’s food drive fills the pantry through the holidays and the winter.

“We need to stock up to carry us through to the spring drive,” she said.

Balderas said the food pantry leaders truly appreciate the community’s constant support. They also are thankful for the kids and adults who volunteer their Wednesday night to make the food drive possible, she said.

“We really appreciate everybody’s support,” Balderas said. “The kids get so excited, going out and doing something so good for the community.”

If someone doesn’t stop by your house to collect food Wednesday, then take your donation to one of the drop-off locations at Blair’s, Mr. D’s Food Center, the post office in Powell or River Rail Federal Credit Union. Residents in the country also are asked to use the drop-off locations, Balderas said.

For residents who aren’t able to donate to Loaves and Fishes this year, Balderas asked them to still return the bag at a drop-off location so it can be used for a future food drive.

The nonprofit organization purchased the plastic bags, and Balderas said they want to re-use them as much as possible.

“We don’t like spending money on anything other than food,” she said. “We would rather spend that money on food for families.”

Loaves and Fishes provides food to families and individuals in need one time per month. To schedule an appointment to pick up food, call 754-8800. Food can be picked up at the Park County Annex from 9-11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Hunters also can donate professionally processed meat to Loaves and Fishes. For more information, call Balderas at 754-2641.