Second Harvest no longer at Gritman Center

At the June meeting of H.E. Gritman Senior Center Board it was approved by majority a motion to opt out of the Second Harvest Food Program at this time. It is something that has been discussed numerous times and felt that this was the right time. Since word has gotten around it seems to have caused quite a fury. As a board member, I felt that maybe an explanation is in order.

Please know that this was not an easy decision. I have always been in favor of helping the community. Yet, of late, as I see our elder workers becoming tired or unable to help because of health reasons and with the passing of others, it has gotten to be more than we can handle.

Getting volunteers is not easy, ask any organization that is still up and running and they will tell you the same thing! When asked to help, oh yes, we will be glad to help, if it fits into our schedule. We all have that, that is life.

It has taken a lot of commitment for board members to be there every month, to make the calls for helpers to unload, to repackage and open the doors to the public. Only to be treated as if it is our fault we don’t have what they want or why can’t they have more. Golly, what about the person behind you in line?

They leave, we are left with the cleanup, boxes to break down and dispose of, floors to be mopped and tables to put back and the list goes on.

Oh, and where do we go with the product they don’t want? Yes, the Food Bank has helped us out with taking some of our extras, but perishables are perishables and only last so long.

Did I mention that the Food Bank also receives food from Second Harvest the same day as we do? Many of the same people go to both, which is fine, that isn’t the problem.

This program was started a number of years ago to help the Senior Center get on it’s feet and help keep the cost of our lunches low. As many of you know the cook took first for the center before we opened our doors to the public a practice we have maintained to the present.

Unfortunately, as we have gotten larger, more institutional size packages, it is too much for us to handle. Much is outdated and though it can be given away at the Food Bank, we cannot use it at the center. We are required by law to follow all health standards.

Thank you to all those folks who have been there for us and helped when they could. The center is not closing. We are still open for homemade lunches on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. We still have bingo every Tuesday, pancake breakfast the second Friday starting again in September and looking forward to some new programs for everyone to enjoy.

Shirley Miller Markum, Ritzville