Gleaners take shelter in $10k grant from City

Virginia McKay, a 25- plus year veteran with Windy River Gleaners, stands ready to deliver in this file photo on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Gleaners just received a $10,000 donation from The City of The Dalles for the purchase of canopies that will allow operations to continue through the winter. Last month, Gleaners distributed more than 18,000 pounds of food to those feeling the economic impact of the coronavirus.

By Tom Peterson

The City of The Dalles has done it again. 

City officials are granting $10,000 to Windy River Gleaners so that they can continue to distribute food to local families hard hit by the coronavirus. 

It is the second such donation in as many weeks. The City gave $10,000 to The Salvation Army as their pantry had gone bare. 

“This keeps us operating,” said Gleaner President Nicole Beaman. Gleaners intend to spend the cash on two 20 foot by 20-foot tents that will be used to shelter food and volunteers at their operation across the street from Big Jim’s Drive-In. “People getting food will be able to drive-through and it allows us to keep going through the inclimate weather.”

The donation came in the nick of time - rain is forecast for multiple days starting on Sunday. A cold front out of the north combined and precipitation coming off the pacific can easily put a lot of snow on the ground in our area in a matter of hours. 

“We are doing our best to feed our community and surrounding area and we are trying to make sure that no family goes hungry in these trying times,” said Gleaners Warehouse Manager Gloria Dunagan. “The Gleaners have come a long way, and it is nice to get some recognition and thank you for the gift to be able to keep on giving.” 

“We thank them for a great donation,” added Gleaner Board Member Virginia McKay.“Gleaners is a great program, and many benefit from it. People come from our community and surrounding areas including parts of Washington.”

McKay has been volunteering with the group for 25 years.

Beaman said she became aware of the donation after The Dalles City Councilor Tim McGlothlin contacted her.

Gleaners have been preparing food boxes were prepared for some 950 plus people in East The Dalles.

Last month we gave out 18,536 pounds of food, said Beaman “It is growing almost weekly. - having additional family show up all the time.”

Cars have been lining up three hours earlier as people are needing food. Pickup is on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. and noon. 

Gleaners receive food from Sysco Farmer to Families Food Box program as well as Columbia Gorge Food Bank, Amie and Brian Baldy of Grocery Outlet. Gleaners also receive frozen fish from Alaskan fishermen.

“It really is the communities coming together and helping each other,” Beaman said. “That’s what keeps us going.”