LaCrosse food bank grant launches fixup projects

LaCrosse Community Outreach Center received a competitive grant July 2015 from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation in the amount of $1,900 as a part of its Rapid Response to Poverty Program. Through this program, the Foundation supports organizations in the Palouse region meeting basic human needs in their communities. As the operator of the community Food Bank, LCOC was awarded this grant to fund part of yearly operating costs for both the Food Bank and the Thrift Store. Monies saved from not having to pay recurring costs will be earmarked for capital improvements and to meet shortfalls in Food Bank programs.

Projects completed so far with help from this gift and community volunteers include a redesign of the Thrift Store front yard and excavation of the Thrift Store basement.

Angela Bennett donated landscaping rock for the yard. The Bennett family, Michele Wright, Melody Wixom and Nathan Dorman generously donated their time and labor to help Store Manager Charlotte Honn revitalize the property at 204 N. Main.

LCOC purchased plants and used donated material to set up a watering system.

Pastor Roger Downing of the Methodist Church of LaCrosse lent his skill and expertise, and LCOC members Daryl Kennedy, Damon Kennedy, Ron Wixom and Dorman excavated the basement of the Thrift Store.

Allie May Alexander helped with debris removal. Pastor Downing built an entryway to make the basement into accessible storage for store fixtures. The extra storage space allows LCOC to more efficiently organize community-donated items and change store inventory more easily.

LCOC encourages the community to come by and view the improvements. Store hours are Wed. - Fri. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m .; Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. To find out more about the Inland Northwest Community Foundation, visit their website at http://www.inwcf.org.

LaCrosse residents in need are welcomed to the Food Bank on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 3 to 6 p.m. Changes in hours are posted in the LaCrosse Post Office.