Tum Tum Community Food Pantry Completely Reorganized
New Leadership Team, Volunteers, Community Partners Come Together To Assist Those In Need
Dana Michie
Volunteers check the inventory after a Saturday distribution.
In March the Lake Spokane Alliance, formerly the Tum Tum Horizons Project, was asked by Rural Resources to oversee the reorganization of the Tum Tum Community Food Pantry. On the 24th of April, 27 people attended an informational meeting held at the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Suncrest to discuss how community organizations, churches, and other interested citizens could partner together to provide access to resources in addition to food. Dawn Love, Director of Member Services from Second Harvest, was also there to answer questions.
The results of the meeting included new leadership and volunteers to make sure the Pantry meets the critical needs of the southeast corner of Stevens County. Additional key players in this effort include: the Tum Tum Community Center, local businesses, area churches, Gardenspot and Williams Valley Granges, SCCAT, Local Six, Fire District #1, Suncrest Auto Parts, and the Nine Mile Falls School District.
What Is The Pantry?
The current economy has been particularly hard on many members of our community. The Pantry provides a central source for food, clothing and other resources to members of the community who need assistance. Last month 78 families received food, and 17 volunteers worked 150 hours. The Pantry also makes a small food distribution to those attending the Community Senior Potluck at 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Tum Tum Community Center.
Location And When Is It Open?
The Pantry is located at the Tum Tum Community Center, 6424 Hwy. 291, and is generally open on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to noon. However, because of the Memorial Day weekend at the end of May, the Pantry will be open on Saturday, May 19th. The Clothing Closet, located in the basement of the church next door, is open at the same times as the Pantry. The Outpost and Stevens County Voice will publish the schedule, and it can also be found online at http://tumtum-wa.blogspot.com.
Who Is Eligible To Receive Help From The Pantry?
Any citizen in need who lives within the Tum Tum and Williams Valley Precincts can draw from the Pantry at the Tum Tum Community Center. Families are eligible to receive the Federal Commodities once a month from their local pantry. All families accessing the resources of the Tum Tum Pantry will receive help. Partnering with the Ford, Hunters and Loon Lake Food Pantry, we serve southern Stevens County.
Contacts:
Emergency food help:
Rod & Edie Wells 276-9117
General information:
Lake Spokane Community Church 276-5472
Clothing Closet:
Call Katie at 276-4269 (msg)
Email: TumTumPantry@gmail.com
Who Supports The Pantry?
Rural Resources as part of the Emergency Food Assistance Program
Second Harvest provides 70 percent of the perishables
Northwest Harvest
Donations from citizens
How To Help
Financial Support:
Send check donations to:
Lake Spokane Alliance
5919 “D” PM Box 102
Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026
Dana Michie
Volunteers load wagons to help the recipients get the groceries to their cars.
(write “T.T. Food Pantry” in memo line)
*All monetary donations are Tax deductible.
Food Donations:
Food donations drop off at:
The COP Shop (Outpost office)Suncrest Auto Parts
We are in need of protein sources and peanut butter, canned fruit, personal products and readymade soups.
Clothing Donations:
Clothing donations drop off at:
Lake Spokane Community Church
(white donation drop box in lower parking lot behind church)