Path to the Pantry

 December 2025

Gail Wham

Our community’s response to the recent chaos created during the government shutdown has been extraordinary. Neighbors in Elk/Chattaroy reached out generously to families in need of emergency food during those uncertain times. Schools, businesses and churches initiated food drives. Community groups collected cash donations, allowing us to purchase needed food at greatly reduced costs. And individuals emptied their own cupboards to help out. People called to ask how they could help and what was needed, friends dropped by with donations of food, household products and even pet food. It has truly made a difference in serving those in need in our community. We thank you!

The North County Food Pantry was once again a distribution point for Tom’s Turkey Drive. Our drive-by pick-up was well supported by Pantry volunteers, the Riverside High School Girls Basketball Team, the Riverside High Honor Society, and SCOPE volunteers. We are always appreciative of the extra hands that help sort, re-package, and distribute the hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to neighbors in our community. 

The volunteer garden crew had buttoned up our garden for the season, after a most productive harvest. We are so appreciative of this hearty group who works in rain, sleet and blazing sun to provide fresh produce for Pantry clients. They are already planning for the year ahead and are asking local gardeners to donate vegetable seeds for planting in our greenhouse beginning in February. If you can help, please call and leave a message for Chris, our garden manager, at 509-292-2530. 

Lastly, we wish to recognize the volunteers who have provided referral information about social services available for Pantry clients. Bon W. saw a need and filled it by initiating a comprehensive data bank of resources and sharing that information with clients. Soon, there was more need than she could handle alone, so she recruited and trained a group of like-minded people to help. Ronda, Virginia, and Carol all served with excellence and compassion for years. Their impact was particularly vital during the wildfire of 2023. They continued to run interference for years after and their expertise has had a huge impact on survivors of that devastating fire.