Support gladly accepted from Farmlands Market and many businesses and citizens in Creswell. Photo provided
APRIL UPDATES
In April, Community Food for Creswell was awarded $20,000 from the Elizabeth S. Holden Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation, toward the Community-use Commercial Kitchen project. Our grant application to The Oregon Community Foundation will be reviewed in November. They have deferred our application with a request that we gain community support of the project, such as funding, interest in kitchen use, volunteerism, educators, and organization partners.
Oregon Food Bank pledged to match $10,000 raised locally, with $4,970 secured from Banner Bank, Facebook online fundraisers, GoFundMe account, proceeds from two Blue Valley Bistro 50/50 raffles, outreach from the Arbor Day celebration, Bi-Mart, Farmlands Market and individual donations.
The Taco Tuesday open house event in April was visited by approximately 35 people, with tours and information about the kitchen project being offered to guests. Instructor Lauri Thomas and the CMS Survival Skills cooking class catered the event, preparing pulled pork tacos and Mexican cheesecake with lime water. A wholesome foods basket was raffled. The winners of the basket were Jered, Ashley, and Ty Lewis.
MAY UPDATES
On May 11, Creswell letter carriers endured the warm weather and crowded streets from the community-wide yard sale to collect 1,073 pounds. There was a wide range of foods donated, including peanut butter, canned meats, vegetable and fruits. It comes at a time when our canned food supply is decreasing.
Health Mart Pharmacy will donate $1 to Community Food for Creswell for every new adult visitor to Creswell Health Mart Pharmacy during the month of May,
Blue Valley Bistro Blue Valley Bistro has committed support of Community Food for Creswell via their Music Night events throughout 2019. The next event is planned for May 24.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Creswell Grange will be holding a food drive and fundraiser at Bi-mart June 4. Food donations will support the Creswell Food Pantry, cash donations will be used toward the Community-use Kitchen project.
Board Membership Community Food for Creswell is currently seeking three additional board members. Our organization is growing rapidly, with the addition of the Community-use Commercial Kitchen project. Board members are needed who are passionate about reducing hunger and working with our community, are creative, and willing to commit two to three years to board membership.
Call 541-246-9117 or email [email protected].
We are grateful to our community for so many donations of food and cash donations. We are looking for people interested in volunteering in the kitchen. We will need help with meal preparation, clean-up, delivery, and cooking instructors. FOOD for Lane County train Cooking Matters cooking educators. Contact Susan Blachnik, Creswell Food Pantry Manager @ 541-246-9117 or [email protected].
