Thank you volunteers

To The Eagle,

After reading the great write-up on the history of the Wahkiakum Community Garden, “Garden-to-pantry partnership yields fresh crops for all,” on Nov. 2. We realized our genuine gratitude for the Wahkiakum volunteers wasn’t expressed as much as we would have preferred.

My name is Suzanne, and I am the SNAP-Ed Coordinator for Wahkiakum County HHS. Julie Johnston, Community Services Manager, and I would like to thank all involved in making this multi-entity partnership work and flow smoothly.

The SNAP-Ed program began coordinating the deliveries in 2022, but this was my first season in the role of SNAP-Ed staff. I am so impressed with these individuals; selflessness and care for our community.

A huge thank you to the garden’s Joyce Orr, Winnie Lowsma, Sue Docker, Kim Sharp, Laurel Check, and Denise Doughty for their much-appreciated work this growing season. These ladies grew and harvested an average of 4 large totes a week of fresh produce for local families and delivered the totes to the Wahkiakum Food Pantry.

We would also like to thank Elochoman Valley Partners employees John Doumit, Russell Halverson, and Justin Snook, who are invaluable to this partnership, for storing and loading the produce to be delivered to the West End Food Pantry. Recognition is a must for Wahkiakum on the Move’s Camille Goldsmith, Ebby Blouin, and Phil Grady, as they are integral to this process in coordinating and transporting the produce to the Westend.

Acknowledgment and a year-round thank you to the local food pantry volunteers cannot go unmentioned. The Wahkiakum Food Pantry is staffed and coordinated by Nora Lee Sorensen and Esther Roche, with volunteers Wanda Rockford, Mitzi Christianson, Brenda Settle, Rhonda King, Vicki Skeers, Tracy Turner, Jeff Abel, and Jerry Bain. The West End Food Pantry is led by Diane Hollenbeck and Shonda Ware, with volunteers Frieda Footh, Sonja Kruse, Martha Troyer, Loretta Smalley, Rheagan BeVier, Brian BeVier, Toni Fess, and Amy Hunt.

Thank you all for everything you do!

Suzanne Mackey

Julie Johnston