As the year draws to an end we reflect on the what has gone before.  This year has gone by so fast I can hardly believe it.  We have seen an increase in the demand for food as more and more families deal with these hard economic times.  Our food lines have increased by over 35% and we have given out way more food this year than ever before.  We are fortunate to be blessed with the USDA Emergency Food Program and have been receiving more food from them through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Our internal operations have been brought up to date, we now have a server system with all computers linked and we have just received a generous donation of new inventory software from ECCA in Pennsylvania.  Our need for increased food has meant that we have had to start looking to other sources and we are pleased to announce that in the New Year we will be starting a Purchased Product Program.  We have been successful in acquiring a contract with a major food supplier who are offering us wholesale prices on the products.  All of our agencies will be able to order food that they currently buy from a store,  from the food bank at greatly reduced prices.  This will allow them and us to stretch our budgets further and provide the food that is so desparately needed in our community.  Monetary donations are less this year but the money continues to trickle in and it all adds up.  Food donations, likewise have declined but we expect this with the way the community is suffering.

I want to thank all of you for your continued support of the thrift store and the food bank.  Without you our task would be impossible.

I wish all of you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Elizabeth Fields

Executive Director

more to come....