WAGAP to launch Mobile Food Bank in Klickitat County
First Interstate Bank’s Believe in Local campaign is helping fill the boxes for the mobile food bank with a $25,000 donation.
From Washington Gorge Action Programs:
Bingen, WA (August 18, 2022) – Following months of anticipation, Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) will begin operations of a new Mobile Food Bank in Klickitat County in September, with plans to expand to Skamania County in October.
“WAGAP is working to serve people in a new way by going mobile,” said Janeal Booren, WAGAP’s Nutrition Programs director. “We hope those in need are helped by coming into communities with little or no access to food, including fresh produce.”
Starting September 1, 2022, the inaugural route will cover the area between Bingen and Goldendale on the first Thursday of the month with the following stops:
Wishram School from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Dallesport Community Center from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Lyle Lions Club from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The second route will head north of the White Salmon-Bingen area beginning on the third
Thursday of the month with the following stops:
Trout Lake Baptist Church from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
BZ Corner Community Building from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In addition to the Mobile Food Bank, the WAGAP Food Bank Network will retain its permanent locations in Bingen, Goldendale, Klickitat, and Stevenson. The network allows individuals and families in need to receive supplemental food supplies once per month at any of these locations.
The schedule for the Mobile Food Bank will adjust over time as the agency implements the system and adds new locations. WAGAP is looking at the possibility of going further east in Klickitat County and developing the route throughout Skamania County.
“We are truly grateful for all the community support we have received throughout developing this mobile service,” said Leslie Naramore, WAGAP’s executive director. The agency has been working on retrofitting a refrigerated truck and has hired two new employees to run the mobile operations.
The Mobile Food Bank became a reality through access to multiple funding sources. Washington State Department of Agriculture contributed Flexible Funding, and USDA added a Reach and Resiliency grant. In addition, a surprise $25,000 contribution came from First Interstate Bank this month as part of its “Believe in Local” campaign.
For more information on Food Banks and Nutrition programs, contact Janeal Booren at 509- 493-2662 extension 208, call toll-free at 800-755-1192, or email janeal@wagap.org.
—-
Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.
