Westside Stories

This past Sunday, several volunteers gathered at Johnson Park Community Center to assemble 62 Thanksgiving boxes. They included a mixture of canned goods, gravy mix, pasta, rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, produce, eggs, and turkeys or chickens. The number of items provided in each box was based on the size of the family. The boxes were distributed on Monday to the individuals and families that signed up for them, just in time for the holiday.

On Thursday, December 5, sign-ups for Christmas boxes will be open from 1-5 p.m. Those boxes will be assembled on December 18 and will be distributed on Thursday, December 19.

Every Thursday from 1–5 p.m., the West End Food Pantry is open to anyone in need, from single individuals to families of any size. Food donations come from Lower Columbia Community Action Program (CAP) out of Longview, the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), Coastal Harvest, a food distribution center, and from private donations. In the summer months, several local farms and families provide produce to the food bank. A small team of volunteers work to keep the food pantry open every week. More volunteers are always needed and appreciated.

Once a month, the food pantry distributes food for TEFAP. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income people by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. The USDA provides 100% American-grown USDA Foods and administrative funds to states to operate TEFAP. States provide the food to local organizations, usually food banks, which in turn distribute the items to food pantrys and meal programs that directly serve the public.

The items provided through the program vary from week to week, but there is always a mixture of protein like meat, nuts, cheese, and eggs, and various types of fruits and vegetables. TEFAP eligibility is based on annual income. Applications and further information on income guidelines are available at the food pantry.

Thank you to the team of faithful volunteers who shop, organize, maintain the pantry, and distribute the food. The food pantry is a valuable asset for our community.

Naselle Comets Football progress to

Semi-Finals

This past Saturday, the Naselle Comets football team played the quarter-finals game against Pomeroy in South Bend. The game was a nail-biter, with the Comets defeating their opponent 60-50. The semi-final game against Wilbur-Creston-Keller will be played on Saturday, November 30 at 1 p.m. in Moses Lake. Go Comets!

Westside Happenings

December

7 Holiday Bazaar at Johnson Park Community Center, 12-4 p.m.

7 Art Show at Grays River Grange, 12-4 p.m.

8 Christmas Concert @ Deep River Church, 1 p.m.

8 Naselle Community Center Soup Supper & Tree Lighting, 3-5:30 p.m.

10 Grays River Grange Christmas Party 6:30 p.m.

15 FAFF Tour of Homes, 12-3:30 p.m.

15 Naselle Lighted Christmas Parade, 5 p.m.

15 Appelo Archives Pictures with Santa, after the parade

18 Rosburg Hall Senior Lunch Christmas

potluck, 12 p.m.

To include an event on the calendar or to give feedback, please contact me at writerlisayeager@outlook.com. You can also follow me on Facebook @ Writer Lisa Yeager.