Food Stash holds fundraiser

Food Stash, a Cottonwood food bank operated out of First Baptist Church of Cottonwood for the last two years, has scheduled a fundraising dinner for Nov. 6 at the Cottonwood Community Center. The fundraiser, a $20 tri-tip dinner with meat supplied by Lumberjack's in Redding, will also sport entertainment from a jazz band and drama club from Anderson New Technology High School. A violin trio is also scheduled to play.

Tickets to the event are available at Sandies Specialties, Sierra Printing, Elegant Bean and First Baptist Church of Cottonwood.

The need for a food bank in Cottonwood became apparent to Director Mary Waterhouse when she operated the now-defunct Cozy Corner in Cottonwood.

"There's senior commodities once a month, and that's it," Waterhouse said.

While Anderson-Cottonwood Christian Assistance will provide for Cottonwood residents, Waterhouse said some Cottonwood residents without transportation cannot get to ACCA's Anderson location.

Food Stash serves 35 to 45 Cottonwood households per month with boxes of food distributed every Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Cottonwood, 3320 Brush St. After a client's second visit, Food Stash requires clients attend a nutrition class. A personal finance class to teach clients about making a proper budget will soon be available as well.

The food boxes generally contain six pounds of food for a family of three, generally containing a spaghetti meal, tuna helper, hot dogs, whole chicken, vegetables and cereal, Waterhouse said.

ACCA has assisted the emergence of Food Stash by providing organizational guidance, and even donating loaves of bread when the Food Stash ran out.

For donation or assistance information, call 347-3691.