Food assistance scarce, but still on valley table
From our weekly issue dated December 3, 2008
Cave Junction Cares served nearly 400 meals, including 75 home deliveries, on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. The annual event, held at the Jubilee Park pavilion in Cave Junction, involved many volunteers, including a crew from the LDS Church Cave Junction Ward. Founder and organizer Lynn Boucher-Johnson said that 50 pies, 27 turkeys and 80 pounds of ham were downed. ‘It was hectic, but fun,’ she said. Next up, the CJ Cares Christmas Day feast. (Photos by I.V. News)
The high cost of gasoline and groceries, plus the recent economic crisis, have hurt free food sources for hungry families in Illinois Valley this year.
Just when there are more people needing help, resources are drying up or have disappeared because of lack of funding. There is some bright news, however, as old friends continue to come through for valley residents.
The Open Door, located in a blue house behind Selma Quick Stop at 18252 Redwood Hwy., is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is run by Dodie Vandermark, her daughter, Vicki Jones and a volunteer, to provide free groceries, clothing and furnishings to needy people. In order to receive the food, applicants fill out a USDA-required form.
The food is obtained from the Grants Pass Food Bank. Clothing and other items are donated by individuals. Jones commented that 663 people were served during October and 448 during November. The Open Door provides a valuable service to people in need: people on welfare, poor families, the elderly and others struggling to make it from month to month.
For more information, phone 597-2197.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church at 265 S. Old Stage Road in Cave Junction also provides groceries to those barely getting by, particularly senior citizens. Terri & Pad Harwell of the church have led the free food program for 24 years. Much of the money for the groceries has come from them, but now they have to rely on donations to buy enough supplies from Josephine County Food Share.
Applicants may receive groceries only once a month. Terri Harwell said they have 18 helpers to operate the food program. The church distributes the food to 40 to 80 people each week on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Harwell said that many of her regular clients are elderly and on welfare, barely able to get enough food each month. To donate or for details, phone (541) 592-3218.
Linda Butler has been managing the Harvest Kitchen free lunch program at St. Matthias Episcopal Church at 25904 N. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction for eight years. She said it is the only church left that offers free lunches. The lunches are free to anyone on Mondays and Tuesdays between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Dogs are not permitted inside the building, so clients usually tie them outdoors and bring them scraps. No forms are required, but clients are requested to behave politely and leave pets outside. For information, phone 592-2006.
Cave Junction Cares is a nonprofit organization that serves a free community Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas meal each year. An average 300 people are served at these feasts in the pavilion in Jubilee Park. Anyone can come and eat.
Often, whole families come and enjoy the hearty meal, which is often their only meal for that day. Each year Illinois Valley people donate money and their time to put on the two holiday dinners, under the direction of Lynn Boucher-Johnson.
Another source for hot lunches is the senior lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Josephine County Bldg. in Cave Junction. Seniors can have a hot meal and coffee, and enjoy socializing in a warm, dry building.
Animals are not allowed inside.
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Illinois Valley Family Coalition is the distribution center for the Christmas Basket Program every December. This year, the county program has been cut from 2,500 to 700 for all of Josephine County. The program went from 700 to 200 Illinois Valley families.
Applications must be completed and a confirmation slip will be mailed to those who are accepted. There will be approximately 200 food bags with gift certificates from Shop Smart Food Warehouse and Ray’s Food Place included. Food donations come from individuals, organizations and businesses.
The reduction in food baskets is due to loss of funding from various organizations that have been affected by the economic downturn. Families who are accepted may go to the IVFC building at 535 E. River St., Cave Junction, on Saturday, Dec. 20 between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to pick up their food bag.
An identification card and confirmation slip must be presented to the staff. The coalition also will have an extra-large supply of clothing and coats to give away at the same time. For information, phone 592-6139.
Donations to any of the above organizations always are welcome, and especially during difficult economic times. The gift of a little money or your time can go a long way to helping someone in desperate circumstances this winter.
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