Brookings-Harbor Food Bank holds holiday food drive

Pamela Winebarger says that the need for food assistance has dramatically increased in Curry County this year, particularly among seniors.

Newswatch 12's ana orsini talked to food bank executive director pamela winebarger today about the drive.

And aside from the fun and kind of the first time having this event, there's also the reality that comes with it, which is that everyone needs food.

And there's a lot of people who need food in our communities.

And there's probably even more people that are in need this year and this time specifically.

So what has that need looked like for people in brookings this year?

Well, our need here has increased and there has been a very prominent increase of people who have never been to a food bank before, not just here, but never been to a food bank.

Maybe they have been somebody that might have donated to a food bank, but they've never come here.

First time here.

I've signed up a lot of people.

That's what i do during the day when the food bank is open.

Um, so that has been, uh, uh, a definite increase.

There's a lot of people, um, not working are still not getting unemployment or, or whatever it is.

So, um, we've seen the, the greater need and especially in our folks that are, um, a little older.

So our seniors, our veterans, um, the disabled, uh, people, um, that are out there.

So, uh, you know, we had just hit people.

Um, hard, really has.

And of course, i know that that's probably really hard for you to see, because obviously you've dedicated your life to this.

This is your career right now, but also you're seeing more numbers of people who are in need right now, really needing to utilize those services.

On the other side of that is people are feeling a little bit more generous because we have seen such a devastating effect on our communities this past year.

So how much are you encouraging people to help out and even a can of food?

Does that go a long way in the community?

Absolutely it does.

It absolutely does.

Um, so monetary donations are wonderful, but the combination of monetary and canned food, um, goes a long way.

Um, we, you know, try to give, um, you know, if you, if you had to put it in pounds, if you had a family of four, we try to give them a hundred pounds of food.

Um, and that includes bread and, um, um, perishable things as well.

But, um, you know, potatoes, those kinds of things.

We try to give them enough to get them through four or five days, at least.

Um, you know, a lot of the clients that we see do have food stamps and things like that.

But a lot of them don't a lot of them get very, very little.

So, um, you know, we, we are trying to do the best that we can, um, in the midst of, of what we're all going through.

And obviously that's another important thing to bring up is, you know, i think people think about food drives and then they're reaching for.

The campbell's soup or the top ramen, but also you have to keep in mind that these are people who this is their source of food right now.

So obviously those donations too are encouraged.

If there are healthier items, more nutritious items that people can bring tomorrow, are you guys accepting perishables during this food drive?

Yes, we can accept perishables.

Um, whether it's, uh, the bread.

I think we have it covered.

We have a really good working relationship with, um, or, or a wheat and bimbo bakeries.

Um, and they help us out every week with food.

I mean, with bread.

And so we have do really good on good, uh, on bread, but perishables, vegetables, fruit potatoes, things like that.

Always, always, we can use those.

Um, those items, um, that we give to families, we give out eggs, we give out cheese and whatever else we can get from our suppliers, um, at a reduced rate thank you, ana.

The light it ana.

Thank you, thank you, ana.

The light it up drive-through holiday food drive is set for tomorrow from four