Callaway and Worl co-direct Medical Lake Food Bank

Terri Worl and Joyce Callaway have been co-directors of the Medical Lake Food Bank for over a year, taking over for former director Margaret James, who resigned from the position in 2015.

Callaway said the food bank, which runs every Friday from 10 a.m.– noon, serves about 200 families a month.

Patrons can also come in every week and receive produce, bread and milk.

The food bank follows the Washington state Department of Agriculture Emergency Food Assistance Program income eligibility guidelines. According to the program's website, low-income families who earn 185 percent or less of the federal poverty level, and are in need of food, are eligible to receive assistance. For example, a household of five with a monthly income of $4,385 would be eligible for assistance.

New families seeking to use the food bank need to fill out a card that includes their information and the names of their family members, and provide proof of a physical address, in case the food bank needs to contact them because of food recall. Patrons also need to provide identification if they add more family members to their household.

Worl was a volunteer at the food bank before she took on the director's role, which is also a volunteer position. She asked Callaway, who had volunteered at the food bank since 1994, to share directing duties with her.

"There's a lot of stuff to do, and with the two of us, it helps makes things run smoother," Worl said. "It took us a couple of months to learn everything."

"When one of us was out (because of surgery), the other would step up," Callaway added.

The food bank receives food from Second Harvest and government assistance programs, as well as local organizations and businesses such as Denny's Harvest Food and Friends for Children. There is a donation bin at the Medical Lake Post Office and local families donate produce, herbs and vegetables they grow to the food bank.

The food bank also purchases food, with the funds coming from the Care and Share Thrift Store.

"We used to give hotdogs, but now we give out boneless chicken thighs," Worl said. "It's more expensive, but it's better for our patrons."

Worl added that donated food past its expiration date is given to local pig farmers.

"We will not give out stuff that is outdated," Worl said.

The food bank also has a table where patrons can receive baby food, diapers and toiletries, as well as pet food and supplies for their animals. There is also a treat box for children and a box for senior citizens that contain food items.

While patrons visit the food bank, they can meet Marilyn Yonkie, Medical Lake's outreach director, and apply for help with shutoff notices, rent assistance and clothes. Yonkie is also at the food bank on Tuesdays.

The food bank participates in the Bites to Go program at Hallett Elementary School and Medical Lake Middle School. It also donates money to help pay for school lunches.

Worl and Callaway do not operate the food bank alone. Callaway said there are about 20 volunteers who perform a variety of duties, such as helping keep track of the food stock in the store room - letting the directors know when they need to order more items - manning the produce, milk and bread tables, helping patrons and cleaning up.

"We have a wonderful crew of people at the food bank, it takes all of us to make this place run," Worl said.

MORE INFO

The Medical Lake Food Bank is located at 207 S. Washington St. To contact the food bank or Medical Lake Community Outreach, call (509) 299-3819.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.