DAYTON COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

Friday, January 22, 2010

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who helps in food bank. The picture shows 98 boxes waiting for turkeys for Christmas. We gave out 104 Christmas boxes and 78 Thanksgiving boxes. There were over 40 volunteers who picked up food, made boxes, stuffed boxes and even delivered a few boxes.

We had many businesses and groups help out this past year, AWANA - Dayton Club food drive; Country Heritage Farms - jam; Dayton Cub Scouts; Dayton High School food Drive; Firestone Farms - produce; Foster Farms - 60+ chickens; Krusteaz - Pancake mix; McKinstry; Naps Thriftway - a new - much needed - cart; Providence Health Care; Roth's - Canned goods - assistance with Thanksgiving boxes; Salem Clinic; Stone Wolf Vineyards - Thanksgiving boxes and helpers; U. S. Postal workers food driveWillamina FFA - produce and fruit; and many individuals who helped out with funds, food and volunteering. If I missd anyone please forgive us but know that we are extremely grateful.

Monday, December 21, 2009

A Christmas Story

Every year for the past 8 years there has been a holiday story associated with the Dayton Food Pantry. Sometimes it was the car load of turkeys rolling up for the 1st food bank, or the money that came from the Lutheran Church, or our secret benefactor who has underwritten Thanksgiving more than once, or Stone Wolf Winery who continues to be committed to Dayton and Amity's food bank.

This year it is just about a family like many others. A family with two young children whose income has been reduced due to pay cuts at their job. As I was talking to the young mother she said that she couldn't decide whether to come to food bank - was it too soon to use the food bank when they still had some food in the cupboards? Or should they wait until everything was gone? As I opened up the food bank door, turned on the lights and she saw the food available for her family she stood there an said in an emotional voice, "How do you not cry when you see all of this food?"

May you be blessed this holiday season and know that you are helping this young family and many others by providing your time, food and funds to your local food bank. Merry Christmas and may God guide you and richly bless you in the new year.

DONATIONS

We are always in need of donations. We feed approximately 200 people per month - our numbers are up this year. The county food bank - YCAP - purchases food from the Oregon Food Bank and other sources. We purchase our food from YCAP. It costs approximately $400 per month to supply these emergency food boxes.

Food and money donations will always help our patrons....and it is tax deductible.

There are items that YCAP usually cannot get such as toilet paper, shampoo, bath soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby food, diapers. These items are always welcome.

RECIPES

COUNTRY CHICKEN AND RICE - serves 6

2 lbs chicken thighs
6 cups water
2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teasoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups long or whole grain rice - rinsed

In large pot bring all ingredients except the rice to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover and allow to boil for 35 minutes.

Add the rice and cook for 25-30 minutes or until the rice is tender and no pink remains inthe chicken and the chicken juices run clear. Recipe from Mr. Food

TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE - Serves 6-8

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
1 can water packed tuna, drained and flaked
2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can peas, drained
2 cups shredded cheese - suggest swiss - divided
1 cup milk or heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Coat a 9'x13' baking dish with cooking spray or margerine.

Cook the macaroni according to the package directions; drai, rinse and drain again.

In a large bowl combine the macaroni, tuna, soup, peas and 1 1/2 cups cheese, milk and pepper. Mix well and pout into baking dish.

Spinkle the remain cheese over the top of the casserole and bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.