Message from Our President: Food Bank Plea
January 9th, 2008 | by EvergreenRotary |by Mark Vickstrom
Evergreen Rotary President
If you were at last week’s meeting, you heard Nancy Dykeman’s plea for help on behalf of the EChO (Evergreen Christian Outreach) food bank here in Evergreen. She and others couldn’t believe Joan Spalding’s announcement two weeks ago that EChO’s shelves were bare. But Nancy checked it out and learned that, yes, the shelves were, in fact, empty. empty. Many of you responded to Nancy’s email asking for help and today brought food for her to deliver to EChO. I hope you’ll do it again next week.
I followed Nancy’s comments with mention of a food bank in Denver that’s been near and dear to me for the last four years, one that serves people who are euphemistically called the “working poor” but who are more aptly termed “tragically stricken.” As surprised as Nancy was to learn that food bank shelves go empty, I commented that I was even more surprised to realize that many among us don’t know just how common an occurrence empty shelves is — and what it means for the many people affected.
Well, as I was ruminating over this, I happened to read in today’s Rocky an article on (drumroll for drama, please) Community Ministry, the food bank I serve! Jolt. Read it here.
So many folks have no idea that places like EChO and Community Ministry even exist, and, if they do know about them, few understand that these places depend ENTIRELY on volunteers and donations for their survival. But articles like this one in the Rocky and people like Joan, Nancy and you — with big hearts and can-do attitudes — can change that.
So, please, heed Nancy’s plea. Recognize the dire straits that many among us are in, not just during the holidays but year around. Educate yourself about the needs and then, if you’re so inclined, do something! Buy groceries. Make a cash donation. Volunteer your time stocking shelves and serving clients. Give some needy person a job or help them develop the skills they need to get one. Or, if nothing else, tell your neighbors.
As Nancy said, 300 families in Evergreen benefit from EChO’s charity. But EChO and all food banks are just conduits — the real charity must come from us.
See you on Friday,
Mark Vickstrom
President, Rotary Club of Evergreen
Evergreen Christian Outreach offers goods and services to local families in need. In addition to items like groceries, food and clothing, EChO offers short-term assistance, mentoring and prayer support.
