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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2016)
Page 8A OFF PAGE ONE East Oregonian CAPECO: Since November the program has fed roughly 200 people Continued from 1A ering healthy, nutritious food to “frontier” communities as far as Spray and Mitchell. Since November the program has fed roughly 200 people each month and distributed 15,615 pounds of food. The grant money helps pay for Garcia, who not only picks up donations but makes delivery runs across the four counties. Rural distribution sites include Ukiah, Pilot Rock, Heppner, Spray, Mitchell, Fossil, Condon, Arlington, Irrigon and Boardman. The route can sometimes take Garcia 300-plus miles round trip, but he’s not complaining. “I really enjoy my runs,” he said. “You wouldn’t believe the look on people’s faces when I pull up.” Donations can come to CAPECO one of three ways: from local farms, food processors or the Pendleton River Walk Garden; from the Oregon Food Bank network; or from grocery stores that participate in the statewide Fresh Alliance program. That includes Grocery Outlet in Pendleton, Wal-Mart in Pendleton and Hermiston and Safeway in Pendleton, Herm- iston and Milton-Freewater. Garcia does Fresh Alliance pick-ups three times per week, meticulously sorting and weighing every box of food on a small scale in the back of the van. When he inishes, he writes each store a voucher that they can ile for a tax credit. Based on his schedule and the amount of food he collects, Garcia then delivers to one of 17 food pantries within CAPECO’s region or sets up his own farmers market-style tailgate when the pantries aren’t open. That’s the best part of the job, he said. “A lot of people are on ixed incomes,” Garcia said. “It’s just seeing the people’s faces when you give them stuff.” Paula Hall, community services and housing director for CAPECO, said they prioritize food safety irst and foremost in the Rural Produce Project. The temperature inside the van is strictly monitored, and Fresh Alliance products must be distributed within a certain number of days to ensure they are safe to eat — for example, most meats can be distributed Staff photo by E.J. Harris Volunteer Larry Chvilicek places a box of goods from the Rural Produce Program into the storage area at the St. Mary’s Outreach during on Wednesday in Pendleton. Stamp Out Hunger this Saturday The largest single-day food drive in the country is set for Saturday. CAPECO is encouraging communities to participate in Stamp Out Hunger, sponsored by the National Associa- tion of Letter Carriers. Anyone can take part by collecting nonperishable food items and leaving them in a bag near their mailbox. A letter carrier or volunteer will pick up the donation and make sure it arrives at CAPECO. Donations not picked up by letter carriers can be dropped off at any post ofice by Wednesday, May 18. The goal is to raise 1.3 million pounds in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Some items on the “most wanted” list include: shelf-stable milk; high-protein foods such as canned meats or dried beans; canned fruits and vegetables; whole-grain itmes such as brown rice and whole wheat pasta; soups, chilies and stews; fruit and vegetable juice; and unsaturated cooking oils. Unacceptable items include: anything in unlabeled cans; glass containers; perishable items; homemade items; noncommercial packaged goods; alcohol, mixes or soda; and anything that’s already been opened or used. Stamp Out Hunger was created in 1993, and has collected more than 1 billion pounds of food across the country since its inception. within 90 days of their sell-by date, so long as they are kept frozen. That time frame goes down to just ive days for milk, three days for salsa and one day for pre-made salads. Hall said it makes good business sense for stores to participate in Fresh Alliance, not only for the tax write-off but to save money on dumping fees. Safeway alone estimates it saves about a half-million dollars every year by reducing its waste. Plus, it’s a win-win for hungry families, Hall said. “It’s food that’s going to the most vulnerable of our population,” she said. “The more we can support our most vulnerable populations, the stronger we are.” Families in “frontier” communities can also have access to food that might not be available in their local markets, like fresh bok choy or nappa cabbage. The distributions are free, which Hall said helps them stretch their budgets and gives them healthy food to feed their kids. “We really wanted to target our efforts to making sure those folks had access to healthy, nutritious food,” Hall said. Hall said they would not be able to maintain the program without support from the Oregon Community Foundation and Fresh Alli- ance. Those programs have allowed them to expand Rural Produce and ensure they’re reaching out to all communi- ties at least two or three times every month. “It costs a lot of money to get food out to those commu- nities,” Hall said. “All of those pieces came together.” ——— Contact George Plaven at gplaven@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0825. Thursday, May 12, 2016 ROUND-UP: Chief Burke has participated in the Happy Canyon Night Show since birth Continued from 1A the early Round-Up courts to establish the traditional look for the 75th Anniver- sary in 1985. This tradition lives on. While serving as Round-Up publicity director, Doug created a sponsorship program tailor- made for the Round-Up, which does not allow arena advertising. He worked to acquire sponsors, set up a sponsor tent, and created a means to provide signs outside the arena. The program has brought in millions of dollars to both Round-Up and Happy Canyon. Doug spent numerous hours developing and expanding the concerts held annually during Round-Up and Happy Canyon week, including booking acts, building stages, and coor- dinating with the bands. He was instrumental in bringing the U.S. Bank PBR Classic to Pendleton. Doug continues to serve on the PBR committee and is on-site veteri- narian during the rodeo. Recognized as one of the foremost authorities on animal welfare throughout the United States, Doug is chairman of the PRCA Livestock Welfare Committee, chairman of the WPRA Equine Drugs and Medications committee and chairman of the Unwanted Horse Coalition for the American Horse Council. For his efforts, Doug was elected to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2007. a title given to him in 1988. The Pendleton High School graduate served in the United States Army and then returned to earn a degree in education at Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande. He taught school for several years in various locations in Oregon. EO ile photo Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Res- ervation Chief Bill Burke has participated in the Happy Canyon Night Show since birth. Contributed photo J.D. Yates has won the steer roping at the Pend- leton Round-Up three times and the all-around in 1994. J.D. Yates Yates, who competes in the roping events, qualiied for his irst National Finals Rodeo at 15. The Colorado cowboy is a familiar face at the Pendleton Round-Up. He won steer roping in 1991, 1994 and 2001. He claimed the all-around title in 1994, reserve all-around honors in 2013 and senior steer roping in 2014. He has 21 NFR appearances and 10 at the Senior National Finals Rodeo. Yates has also won 37 world titles and several Super Horse titles as a professional horseman with the American Quarter Horse Association. Since winning his irst Round-Up buckle, Yates claims it’s the only one he wears. He continues to compete in rodeos and show horses. He trains horses at home in Pueblo with his son, parents and sister. Smokey Smokey, a 32-year-old gelding raised by the Evans family, is this year’s animal inductee. The horse began his connection with the Pendleton Round-Up at Contributed photo Smokey, 32, has per- the age of two by sorting formed many duties for stock. As Smokey matured, the Round-Up and Hap- he moved on to serve other Chief Bill Burke py Canyon, including roles, including carrying Chief Burke is a member carrying the lag for the a lag in the famous of the Walla Walla and grand entry, riding in the Round-Up grand entry, a Cayuse tribes. Burke has parade and acting in sev- princess, saddles for cham- participated in the Happy eral rolls during the night pions and numerous grand Canyon Night Show since show. He is now retired. marshals and Hall of Fame inductees. In the Happy birth, with his mother carrying him through the show as an infant. Canyon arena, he performed in the stage- Later, he performed numerous other roles. coach robbery, rescue scene, pony express He has a collection of Happy Canyon and quadrille. Smokey is now retired and programs from years past, including one lives a life of leisure near Pendleton with that lists him as a cast member at age Steve and JoAnne McGee. ——— 7. Burke continues an active role in the Contact Kathy Aney at kaney@eastore- Round-Up as Chief of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, gonian.com or 541-966-0810. PENDLETON: Sets aside $10K each year for assistance Continued from 1A this break, you have to go and have counseling,’” Councilor Becky Marks said. Marks said the current assistance program was underutilized because many retirees and low-income resi- dents were too proud to seek help in-person. Although, the city sets aside $10,000 each year for utility assistance, Helping Hand used less than half of that amount during the last iscal year. To avoid such situations, Councilor Tom Young said customers could be given the option to submit proof of income documents like Tax Form 1040 to determine eligibility. Councilor Paul Chalmers cautioned against the city getting too involved in resi- dents’ personal choices. “Government shouldn’t have to dictate personal choice for people to partici- pate in programs or not,” he said. “That’s not the function of government.” Councilor John Brenne said the city should do away with middlemen like Helping Hand and CAPECO and handle an assistance program in-house. But other city council members argued that could open sensitive information to public records requests and require screening and processing duties fall to city staff. There’s still much to be determined before the city makes any changes to its assistance program. Patterson said it would be dificult to apply a discount to apartments or trailer parks where water and sewer is supplied through a single meter to multiple units. 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