WELCOME TO OLD AND NEW FRIENDS
Longtime member Ethel Johnson has returned after a lengthy recuperation from some physical challenges. She also moved house a while ago and is now settled and happy to be out and about once more. Ethel has been a proud member of WREA and RFArea REA since 1990 when she retired as a reading specialist with the Hudson School District. Welcome back, Ethel!
We also welcomed two new members to RFArea REA: Vicki Cobian (left) who retired from the New Richmond School District, where she taught English and Julia Persico (right), who worked at UW-River Falls for many years as a program assistant, most recently in the Graduate Program.
RIVER FALLS COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
Executive Director Candace Anderson of the River Falls Community Food Pantry spoke to the group about the food pantry's services and its role in the community.
The pantry is completely funded by community and grants. It receives food from community members, including over 10,000 pounds of fresh produce from area farms during the harvest season, from food drives, from the Hunger Prevention Council of Pierce County, and from Second Harvest. Dick's Fresh Market and Spartan Nash--parent company of Family Fresh--also give money through the donations customers make to the pantry, gift cards, and food (such as bread, produce, and slightly damaged goods). Sixty percent of the food available at the pantry is donated compared to 40% at other food shelves in the area.
The Food Pantry is also 99% volunteer run. Volunteers fill the shelves and serve the people who use the pantry. Those who come to the pantry are allowed four bags of groceries per month, excluding bread and produce (they can take as much of those items as they need), cereal, laundry soap, and other hygiene items.
The Food Pantry also works with Jump Start to Literacy--a nonprofit founded and run by our own RFArea REA member Tony Pedriana--to distribute books to families with young families. Tony reports that 120 books per month are given away at the Food Pantry.
The Food Pantry also works with Our Neighbor's Place in River Falls, a social service provider, helping those in need of shelter, food, housing, and other services.
The Food Pantry is always looking for volunteers and donations. Please keep them in mind if you have a few hours, food, paper grocery bags, or money to spare.
NEW LOCATION FOR NEXT MONTH'S MEETING
We had decided last year that the West Wind Supper Club was no longer the best match for us as a meeting place--too much noise, too many distractions. So, our first meeting was held at the First National Bank of River Falls. It is a beautiful room and a great meeting place. But members thought that the parking was tight and that the lack of access to lunch were problems.
Next month we are going to change again. We will meet on Thursday, October 12th at 11:00 at St Croix Lanes. It is located right behind Perkins and True Value Hardware at 1153 St. Croix Street where there is ample parking, good food, and not much noise. So, remember our new location for next month.
