The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

There will be a food drive to address the continuing issues of hunger and food insecurity in Wahkiakum County on September 20.

September is a tough month, according to volunteer Sue Garn, who has been working alongside volunteers from the Hunger Relief Task Force, the WSU Extension Office, Health and Human Services and several representatives from local churches to make this event happen.

“There is less food on the shelves in food banks than any other time of year,” she said. “The shelves need to be restocked for the month and for the coming holiday season.”

Volunteers for the Food for Friends Food Drive will meet at the Elochoman Slough Marina for a welcoming and coordination at 9 a.m. on the morning of September 20. Volunteers will be given plastic bags and maps broken up into different areas around the county. Then they will begin knocking on doors asking for non-perishable items.

Other volunteers will be in the River Street Meeting room, sorting and distributing the donations equally amongst five locally operated food banks and food services: The Wahkiakum Food Bank, Helping Hand Food Bank, St. Catherine’s Church/St. Vincent de Paul, the GAP program and the Westend Food Bank, which has not yet opened.

A food drop will be set up at the post office in Cathlamet for the month of September. Two more food drops will be set up at the Cathlamet Market and Gragg’s General Store from September 13-20.

Beginning September 1 and continuing throughout the month, monetary donations will be accepted at an account that has been set up at the Bank of the Pacific. Checks should be made out to “Food for Friends-Wahkiakum Food Banks.” The account will be closed on the first of October and the funds raised will be distributed equally amongst the five food banks and food services.

“Cathlamet has a long rich history of serving people in need,” said Garn, whose family has resided here for four generations.

Individuals, families and businesses are invited to volunteer, and competition amongst the volunteers is encouraged.

If you would like information or to volunteer, call Sue Garn at 360-747-1772.