Gleaners keeping the pantry full for some 950 locals

Virginia McKay, a 25- plus year veteran with Windy River Gleaners, was at it again this morning, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Food boxes were prepared for some 950 people in East The Dalles. Cars were lined up past the overpass on Old Highway 30 at 9 a.m. Food is distributed between 10 a.m. and noon. Nearby Anthony Weyerman and Dub Hutson of Gem Ice volunteered and organized boxes. 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 said Gleaner President Nicole Beaman. “This is truly about community helping the community,” she said. “If everybody did not come together like this, we would not be here today.” Gleaner’s Gloria Dunagan said the task will get more difficult in weeks to come when rain and snow hit. She said they need a drive-through cover to keep volunteers out of the weather.