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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2010)
The INDEPENDENT, May 20, 2010 Vernonia Cares help fill stomachs Vernonia Cares Food Bank (VCFB) is available to help lo- cal families with emergency groceries. “Many people forget about our assistance, which is available to help during these difficult times,” said VCFB Di- rector Sandy Welch. “After the flood of 2007, Vernonia Cares Food Bank was released from the income eligibility guidelines in order to serve our communi- ty in a wider capacity with emergency groceries. Not that we’ve fully recovered from that event, but it seems time to re- store the guidelines to provide groceries to those for whom the Oregon Food Bank and USDA services are intended. Howev- er, the guidelines are very gen- erous and many local people may benefit from grocery help from VCFB,” Welch empha- sized. Current USDA gross income guidelines are: USDA GROSS INCOME GUIDELINES Size of Annual family income unit 1 $21,660 2 $29,140 3 $36,620 4 $44,100 For each additional person $ 7,480 Monthly income $1,805 $2,428 $3,052 $3,675 $ 623 The food bank is located at 627 Adams Avenue (in the American Legion Building) and is open Tuesdays and Thurs- days from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It offers approximately three days worth of groceries. Recipients are eligible to re- ceive groceries once a month. Bread products are available once a week, thanks to dona- tions from Safeway of Forest Grove. Currently VCFB helps 300-400 people per month. New clients will be asked to complete a simple registration interview, show proof of resi- dency within the Vernonia, Tim- ber or Buxton area and verify that they are within the above listed income guidelines. The verification must include gross income from all sources for all household members. Current clients will be asked, as of June 1, to verify their in- come by signing a document to that effect. Vernonia Cares Food Bank does not discrimi- nate as to race, sex, national origin, political affiliation, famil- ial status, age, disability, reli- gion, military status, marital status, or sexual orientation/gender identity. “Thanks to the generosity of donors, Vernonia Cares Food Bank continues to help those who may be hungry and living within our community,” said Welch. “Nearly one-half of our clients are children or senior citizens. Almost everyone has been short of funds in their life- time and the food budget is the place where money is trans- ferred in order to pay a more urgent bill. Donors recognize all this and wish to help. Food is a necessity of life and it’s one of the most direct and easiest items to supply to those who need it. Donations of food or funds are appreciated. The Let- ter Carriers Food Drive is an example of people being a part of the answer,” she concluded. Questions or donations may be directed to Vernonia Cares Food Bank by calling 503-429- 1414 or by mail to P.O. Box 126, Vernonia, OR 97064. A tax-deductible receipt will be supplied if requested. Next Jamboree meeting date set The next Vernonia Friend- ship Jamboree & Logging Show meeting will be May 27, at 6:00 p.m. in Vernonia City Hall. Anyone wishing to volun- teer to help with Jamboree, or to have an event during Jam- boree, is encouraged to come to the meeting. The Jamboree Advertising Committee is also looking for volunteers to make a float and participate in the Hillsboro 4th of July parade on July 3. For more information see www.ver noniachamber.org and look un- der community/events. Page 7 Vernonia Senior Center News Do you have extra plants – indoor, outdoor, vegetable starts or others? If so, how about do- nating them for the senior center’s annual Plant Sale. All funds raised from the plant sale go to help maintain ser- vices that are vital to many senior and disabled citi- zens in the area. The plant sale will be held June 4 in the courtyard of the Vernonia Com- munity Learning Center, during First Friday. Any remaining plants will be sold the fol- lowing Monday at the senior center. Call the center if Raffle tickets for this you need to make fountain will be available arrangements for pick up or delivery. at the plant sale. The phone num- ber is in the box at the end of this column. The Vernonia Senior Center will be OPEN on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st. The first in a series of craft lessons will start with etched glass techniques on Friday, June 11, from 1-3:00 p.m. Rosie McCoy will be the in- structor; costs for materials will be no more than $5 per person. The center would like to present as many types of crafts as there are volunteer teachers, so if you are a crafter who would like to teach others, call Rosie. In cooperation with Vernonia Rural Fire Dis- trict, medical emergency cards are available for members and others who regularly visit the cen- ter. When they have been filled out, the cards will be kept at the center to provide accurate infor- mation in case emergency medical attention is needed. This is voluntary, but could make a big difference if emergency information is needed. Free blood pressure checks are available on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon. Lunch is served Monday through Friday at noon. A $3.00 donation is suggested for those 60 and older, and $4.00 for those under 60. If you prefer lunch to go, simply call ahead, 503-429- 3912, and place your order for only $4.00. Enjoy bingo with lunch each Monday starting at 11:45 a.m. On the last Wednesday of each month, Wau- na Federal Credit Union makes a good lunch even better by providing diners with free ice cream. Birthday celebrants are honored on the last Friday of each month. Breakfast – $3.50 per person, regardless of age – is available Fridays at the Senior Center, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. Maple bars, made fresh daily, are $1.00 each. Volunteers are needed at the Vernonia Senior Center, and they don’t need large chunks of time or specific skills. If you have even an hour or two a week, your help will be greatly appreciated. Vernonia Senior Citizens Center: 446 Bridge Street Senior Information Assistance Rep: Rosie McCoy Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Thrift Shop Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Phone: 503-429-3912 Free programs available for non-profits Through the Conversation Project: A New Chautauqua, nonprofit organizations around the state have access to free programs that engage commu- nity members in thoughtful, challenging conversations about ideas critical to our daily lives and our state’s future. Nonprofits have until May 31, 2010, to apply for programs that take place between July 1 and October 31, 2010. The Conversation Project, which connects Oregonians with pub- lic scholars and provocative The Bread of Life never gets stale. ideas through idea-driven dia- logue, is a program of Oregon Humanities (formerly Oregon Council for the Humanities). The catalog, instructions for host organizations, and down- loadable application form are available online at oregonhu- manities.org and by request from Program Coordinator An- nie Dubinsky at 800-735-0543, ext. 116, or a.dubinsky@ore gonhumanities.org. May not be combined with other coupons or special discounts. Does not include services. Now through 5-31-10
