Resource Center Levee Update

WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg Resource Center (WRC) served 196 people in January -- an amount nearly equaling 10% of Waitsburg's population. Seventy-seven families from Waitsburg and Prescott received food and new families continue to utilize the service each week.

The food bank currently provides services to families in the Waitsburg and Prescott school districts. Families may visit once per month and large families may take up to 55 lbs of food per visit. The WRC also provides local schools with backpacks - funded by a donation from the Lion's Club -- filled with food and hygiene items for staff to discreetly distribute to children in need.

In addition to current services, the WRC is seeking ad­ditional ways to be of service to the community. They are currently working to set up a dental van visit in March. Adults in need of dental service should contact Pam Conover at 337-8876 to arrange an appointment. The WRC will also provide supplies for Dental Hygienist Kelly Zuger to visit elementary classrooms.

The WRC would like to thank the many local groups and individuals who worked to collect and donate food. Donations are greatly appreciated; dish soap, hygiene items and toilet paper are always needed.

Information from Waitsburg School Superintendent Carol Clarke showed that 70% of kindergarten students and 73% of 6th grade students are at poverty guidelines qualifying them for the free or reduced school lunch pro­gram. Clarke said these figures have continued to increase in recent years.

WRC Board member Mike Ferrians said that the Cen­ter continues to look for new ways to support the commu­nity and welcomes suggestions and input. "We want to be about more than just providing food. We want to provide relationship and hope," said Ferrians.

The WRC is located at 106 Preston Avenue (on the side of the AmericanWest Bank building) and is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.