Letter to the Editor: Consider supporting these local non-profits during this year's holiday season

Dear Editor;

As it is now the holiday season, I would like to make our communities aware of four local non-profit organizations that are worthy of donations this time of year: the Ritzville and Lind Ministerial Associations, the Ritzville Food Pantry and The Collective Adventure. Each of these non-profits helps individuals and families in need and believes the words of Jesus when He said, “Whatever you do for one of the least of these, you do for me.”Each of the ministerial associations is a collection of the local churches in their communities. Neither of these groups have official fundraising activities, so while the local churches must meet the needs of their own congregations, they also must provide for those in the community. Common financial requests that they help with are rent and utility bills, as well as gas, hotel stays and food vouchers for stranded travelers.

The Ritzville Food Pantry is open weekly providing food for approximately 90 families a week and more than 160 families with yearly holiday food boxes. The cost of operation is approximately $1000 per month, which doesn’t include the purchase of any food that is distributed! The federal government and private organizations like Second Harvest provide food each month to help stock the shelves, but local donations are always needed to make sure the shelves aren’t bare and monthly operating costs are met.

The Collective Adventure is on main street in Ritzville. Now in its third year, the ministry reaches out to the marginalized in our communities. The doors are open daily providing a warm place for people to come for prayer or something to eat. Weekly Bible studies and AA/NA meetings are offered. Tuesday evenings provide a full meal and a Bible teaching, and a Sunday service is available for those who may not feel comfortable attending our traditional churches. Many donations of food items come from local establishments such as Starbucks, Ritz Food Mart, Cow Creek and Zips, as well as from Grocery Outlet in Moses Lake. But paying the rent, utilities and insurance is the greatest cost to the ministry.

So, if you are able to provide a donation to one or more of these worthy local nonprofits before the close of 2019 (or any time of year), you can send them to:

Ritzville Ministerial Association

P. O. Box 272

Ritzville, WA 99169

Lind Ministerial Association

P.O. Box 527

Lind, WA 99341

Ritzville Food Pantry

P.O. Box 442

Ritzville, WA 99169

The Collective Adventure

P.O. Box 261

Ritzville, WA 99169

You will receive a receipt for year-end tax deductions and a blessing for providing for “the least of these.”

Kim Schofstoll