Wilson-Dorrance food bank revamps service

WILSON — Every Monday from 5-7 p.m., the food bank is now open at in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church, 319 24th St.

Entrance is on the south side of the church.

While the food bank in Wilson started more than 15 years ago, the hours haven’t been consistent for awhile.

“We are Dorrance-Wilson,” said Ellen Rader as she sorted cans. “Dorrance is in Russell County. We wanted to make sure it’s a community, not necessarily a county. Even though we’re in Ellsworth County … it’s a community.”

Dorrance community member Susan Thielen helped encourage community members to bridge the county line.

A group met Oct. 7 to start planning.

“Everyone came with great ideas and information and input,” Wilson resident Sandy Robinson said.

The seven churches from the area collaborate to help make it possible for the Wilson-Dorrance Food Bank to be open from 5-7 p.m. every Monday.

“(It’s) staffed by volunteers from rotating churches,” Robinson said.

“We are thankful for all of the churches’ response and all of their help,” Rader said.

“Everybody said yes — every one of the seven churches.”

Andrea Skucius was one of the volunteers organizing food Nov. 11. “It’s a lot of work for two or three people, so I think it helps take the burden off people,” she said of having seven churches share the volunteer load. “I think having it open on a regular basis helps get the word out, and having additional people come volunteer to have it open helps.”

Volunteers descended on the basement of the First Presbyterian Church, where the food bank is housed, to organize the commodities.

“(We) moved the food bank to a new room at the same location,” Robinson said.

Following the Oct. 7 meeting, the food bank has been open every Monday. In four weeks, 13 families, which include 47 people, utilized the bank.

“With layoffs during the holidays, we knew there would be more families in need,” Rader said. “They won’t be working during Thanksgiving or Christmas; they will start back up in January.” In addition to canned or boxed food items, the food bank can accept paper products, toiletries and feminine products. A freezer is also on-site for meat donations.

“We do have the option to get meat from meat packing plants that take wild game. They will provide that for free if people will take it,” Rader said. “We have a freezer and hope in the future to be able to provide some meat products that are frozen.”

Donations come from churches. Additionally, the Wilson Catholic Youth Organization collected food. Community members can also directly donate to the food bank during regular hours on Mondays, or call (785) 658-2191 at other times to donate. The group accepts food donations, but they must be aware of the expiration date.

When donations arrive, volunteers check expiration dates and mark them on items. Shelves are sorted by item types, and a rack with recipes utilizing items from the food bank is also available.

Rader said food that is less than one year past the expiration date is donated to the Salina Rescue Mission.

Robinson said volunteers take the food to the mission.

The work of the group is spreading beyond county lines, however.

“Just last week, Kenny (Beneda) had someone who was originally from Wilson who was at something, handed him money to put in the food bank,” Rader said.

“It’s reaching out beyond our community as far as people helping provide items for the community. It’s amazing.

“I think the biggest thing is to thank Susan (Thielen). She spearheaded getting it open on a regular basis. She helped push (us).

Obviously, it was here and available, but without Susan’s extra push, the three of us couldn’t keep it open all the time every Monday. I think Susan’s extra push helped get us started in the right direction.”

The collaboration is what Robinson hopes is the key to long-term success.

“We are so excited all of the churches have come together,” she said. Skucius encourages Wilson- or Dorrancearea residents to utilize the service. The local food bank is not affiliated with national chapters, and doesn’t have any income requirements.

“If you’re in need, please come utilize it,” she said.

“We are thankful for all of the churches’ response and all of their help.

Everybody said yes — every one of the seven churches.”

Ellen Rader

Wilson-Dorrance Food Bank Volunteer