MATTAWA — It's been a long journey, but the town of Mattawa is finally getting a food bank.

The food bank opens for its first distribution at 403 S. Boundary Street, unit A1 on Dec. 16 from noon to 3 p.m. It is located in the Esperanza Housing Project.

Executive Director of the Grant County Housing Authority John Poling said the housing authority is providing the location rent-free until April, when migrant farm workers start moving into the project. The food bank must still pay utilities, Poling said. The housing authority is helping look for a permanent space for the food bank.

"The food bank is certainly a vital community service," he said.

President of the Food Bank Board Elvia Greisen said the food bank is open the second and fourth Saturday of the month, from noon to 3 p.m. Customers must provide proof of their name and address, but there are no income requirements.

Northwest Harvest in Moses Lake is delivering food once per month, Greisen said.

Washington buckwheat producers donated $2,000, a private donor gave $2,600 and food bank volunteers raised $800 to help get the food bank started. On Dec. 16, boy scouts and high school volunteers are seeking out food donations.

Members of Entre Mujeres, a support group for women in the migrant worker community, led the effort to get the food bank a permanent location.

Before this most recent effort, the food bank operated off and on over the years, said food bank advisor Patty Diaz. Most recently, the food bank operated out of the Catholic Church.

"It has failed so many times," Diaz said. "That's why people were so weary of getting it back."

The group worked hard to get the food bank in place despite feeling discouraged at times, Diaz said.

"I think we knocked on the right doors, and they opened," she said.