In the 40 years since the Stayton Ministerial Association created the Stayton Community Food Bank, more than a few things have changed.
“They started out in a small city-owned space downtown,” Sheila Baker – a board member and volunteer for the last 10 years – said recalling the initial space on Ida Street that the organization rented for $1 a month before moving into a 1,000 square foot building on Second Street, and finally, in 2019, the current 2,000 square foot location on Wilco Road.
But perhaps the biggest change has been the number of people coming through the door.
“We started very small…” founding volunteer Edna Rickman told Our Town in 2015 in an interview regarding her retirement after 33 years.
In fact, when the organization began the entire month’s budget – a mere $1,000 – was roughly equal to what the food bank now spends on fresh produce alone.
“As we need to, we purchase because the food supply very much ebbs and flows,” Baker said, describing the annual fluctuation that happens each year during both the summer – when gardens tend to overflow – and the holiday season – which coincides with the food bank’s annual food drive.
It’s a variation that generally coincides with a change in the number of people seeking assistance – higher in the winter – lower in the summer.
But this year’s averages – with an increased cost of living and the cessation of numerous pandemic era assistance programs hitting the community hard – the numbers haven’t dipped.
“This year they just keep going up all the time,” Baker said.
In fact, nearly 450 households sought assistance from the Stayton Food Bank in July 2023, up nearly five percent from just the month before. It’s a situation that has been tricky to navigate.
“But the community has been very good about cash donations,” Baker said. In fact, “during the pandemic year we had record donations and – while it’s dropped off some – it’s still higher than it used to be.”
Now, with the food bank’s 40th anniversary right around the corner, the food bank’s Board of Directors is looking forward to saying thanks to those who have offered sustaining support by holding a celebratory open house on Sept.13, 4 to 6 p.m. for those receiving invitations or who have made a reservation.
“Some of them have never even been here,” Baker said of the occasion, which will provide donors and interested community members with the chance to tour the facilities. “They can come in and see how we’re operating and where the food goes.”
A lot has changed in 40 years, so even if someone took a tour in the past, there’s still more to see.
“We think we’re doing a pretty good job,” Baker added. “And I think most of the people who come in are very appreciative.”
Stayton Community Food Bank’s 40th Anniversary Open House
1210 Wilco Road, Stayton
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 4 – 6 p.m.
Attendance is by invitation or reservation only.
Call 503-769-4088 for information.
