Community helpers making a difference through Upper Valley MEND

When Mr. Rodgers was a child his mother comforted him during times of disaster by telling him to “Look for the helpers. You can always find people who are helping.” In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the helpers in the Upper Valley have been pouring their care and support out through Upper Valley MEND.

Local business owners and private individuals have given food and money again and again to help meet the hunger needs of vulnerable families in the community. The Community Cupboard food bank receives weekly donations from numerous businesses. In the last six weeks, weekly donations have include bread from Bavarian Bakery, soup from Argonaut Expresso Bar and Bakery and Yodelin, and meals from Munchen Haus.

Individuals have also offered an amazing amount of aid. Janeane and Lyman Boyd deliver hundreds of pounds of food each Friday and community members are donating online or coming to the window on 14^th Street to donate money or food. Local gardeners' produce is starting to come in, and we received over 1,500 pounds of potatoes, onions and apples from Chelan Fresh left over from the giveaways at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

“It’s been incredible to see the outpouring of support,” said Kaylin Bettinger, executive director. “Our community has always been supportive of neighbors who are struggling, but this is a new level. The generosity is just amazing.”

As well as staples like rice, bread, and canned foods, the food bank also has fresh produce from grocery rescue at Safeway, Dan’s Food Market and Sage Mountain Natural Foods. Thanks to the Community Harvest gleaning program we have fresh vegetables from local farms such as Snowgrass Farm, Hope Mountain Farm and Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort in Leavenworth, Overwinter Farm in Cashmere, and Easley Farms and Spencer Farm in Wenatchee. We’ve been able to share all of this abundance with food banks in Plain, Cashmere and Wenatchee. 

Dozens of Upper Valley families visit the Community Cupboard food bank each week. Some shoppers have seasonal jobs and the food bank helps them get by in slow months. Some have been laid off due to COVID-19. Some are seniors on fixed incomes. To meet their food needs the food bank is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff are providing curbside pickup and volunteers are delivering groceries to homes when requested. Customers complete an order sheet once a month to let us know what they need, others come by each day to check out the food on the outside table.

Dental Grant

We are delighted to announce that we have received a grant for $12,000 from the Arcora Foundation Safety Net Support Grants to support the Upper Valley Free Clinic dental program through 2020. The Arcora Foundation, funded by the not-for-profit delta Dental of Washington,