Palouse library hosts food drive

PALOUSE — The Palouse branch of the Whitman County Library starts 2024 with a New Year Food Drive running until Wednesday, Jan. 31.

Palouse librarian Sarah Bofenkamp said it’s a 24-hour shelf available at the Palouse post office.

Those who want to donate can drop off unexpired, unopened, nonperishable foods at the Food Bank shelf at the Palouse Post Office, 300 East Main Street.

The drop-off is accessible 24 hours a day for both drop-off and pick-up.

Bofenkamp said that the drive has been going on for years and was initially started by the library.

Some items that Bofenkamp said the drive looks for include non-perishables and unexpired goods. “We just had a great delivery of cat food,” she said, noting that most of the food, including canned foods, beef, and dried goods, is for people. She added that sometimes diapers are donated.

Bofenkamp said that, generally, winter is hard, and in Palouse they have a once-a-month food bank where people can pick up food. This location allows those in need to stop by at any time or contribute.

Bofenkamp said the goal is to keep the shelf stocked and that Palouse neighbors and community members are good about using it. “The hope is to keep it abundant that people start the new year with full bellies,” she said.