Cottonwood food bank delivers food from the heart

Photo by Pamela Britton-Baer

Labor of Love - For Jolene Thomas, packing boxes of food for struggling Cottonwood families is a way of paying it forward.

They might be smaller than similar organizations, but Shepherd’s Heart Cottonwood Community Food Bank is just as mighty. The grass-roots organization sponsored by First Baptist Church serves the Cottonwood area provides food for needy families, though they appear to be one of the best kept secrets in town.

“We’re open on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month,” said volunteer director Jolene Thomas. “In 2011, we served 944 boxes. That’s 2,856 people.”

The group collects food from local organizations such as the Evergreen and Cottonwood School Districts and the residents of Lake California. Many of the items donated are from local businesses, including Holiday and Franz Bakery.

“We hand out 45 to 55 boxes at a time,” said Thomas, adding that last year that equated to 30,000 pounds of food.

The food bank’s origins, however, are humble. When they started in 2007 they gave out between four and 20 boxes a month.

“But then the economy went crazy,” said Thomas, stating that word of mouth has increased the amount of food they give away.

“It gets a little ‘pando’ around here,” said Lake California resident and Shepherd’s Heart volunteer Lynn Teague. “But we all help equally.”

Their efforts are greatly appreciated by community members such as Gisela Kramer who called the group a lifeline.

“This is my first time,” admitted Kramer. “And I’m grateful. I’m on state disability. That ran out, but I’m still disabled.”

Items in the box run the gamut from tuna and eggs, fresh produce and breads, to cans of fruits and veggies. Boxes can be packaged for one person, but are frequently for more.

“The honest to God truth is that we thought we were set for life,” said Cottonwood resident Jim Curry, who was there to pick up a box for two. “Health insurance eats up most of our income. This means the difference between eating beans and a real meal.”

That’s what it’s all about for helpers like Justin Smoak, a local teen who volunteers because, “I like helping my community,” he said.