By Mary Owen
After 33 years of managing the Stayton Community Food Bank, Edna Rickman is saying good-bye.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years,” said Rickman, 83, whose last day was Oct. 15. “We started out very small, but had a purpose to serve the often unseen needy in the community.”
Rickman said her involvement was gradual, starting with her involvement in the Stayton Resource and Referral Center. On the R&RC board as a representative of St. Boniface Parish in Sublimity, Rickman stepped up to in 1982, when the local Ministerial Association organized a food bank.
“They needed somebody to keep track of the food distribution,” said Rickman, who was also a representative for the Marion-Polk Food Share. “I decided to help. It wasn’t that hard because I had experience. I began studying health and nutrition in third grade in our two-room country school in Montana. Cash was scarce at home, but with our animals and garden, we never went without a meal and extras were shared with others.”
Rickman put her skills to work at the food bank, then housed in a city-owned building on Ida Street rented for $1 a month. Operating with a budget of less than $1,000 month, the Stayton Community Food Bank provided emergency food to residents who met federal guidelines, she said.
“We had a city-donated building, two freezers and donated desk, chairs, trestle table, signs and repack tables,” she said. “We had no heat, phone or hot water and one door. We had several willing volunteers! On freight day, the clients had to wait outside or return after the food was brought in.”
Clients received commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NORPAC extras and donated items about once a month and an emergency box every 60 days, she said.
“Our funds and other food came from individuals, local churches and organizations,” she added.
The Stayton Community Food bank now operates from a much larger building on Second Avenue. With USDA commodities and food from Marion-Polk Food Share, it serves more than 1,200 people monthly, including families, seniors, single parents, and people with disabilities. Bag sales at Roth’s, Safeway and Grocery Outlet as well as collections from the Lions Club, United States Postal Service carriers, school drives, and other events add to SCFB’s food resources. A $2,000 grant from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund helps with the purchase of basic items, such as peanut butter, tuna, canned fruits and vegetables.
“We have over 40 volunteers who operate the office, pick up purchased or donated food from stores, sort, transfer and re-pack bulk foods,” Rickman said.
For her part, Rickman modestly said, “It’s just something I did.” Her reward came from those she served, she said.
But Rèse Bourdeau called her a community hero. “Wherever I see her, she is giving – her time, wisdom or skills. Edna is to the community a blessing, mentor and great woman!”
Posted on the food bank’s Facebook page was the tribute: “Her truly countless hours of work and dedication to improve the lives of individuals and families in our community have been a blessing to all of us. She has been the face and heart of the food bank and we will miss her. A millions of thank yous to her is just not enough for all that she has done.”
In 2006, Rickman received the community’s Woman of the Year award for her work. But she is quick to say all her years of service have been simply her way of serving her community while living out her faith.
“I always believed that we, as Christians, are supposed to take care of people who need help,” Rickman said.
The Stayton Community Food Bank serves Stayton, Sublimity, Marion, West Stayton and rural Aumsville. For information, call 503-769-4088.
