MATTAWA - Elimination of hunger in all pockets of the Beverly-Schawana-Mattawa-Desert Aire community is the primary goal of the Mattawa Area Food Bank, a couple members of the board said recently.

To that end, the board is focusing it's outreach on people it fears are being under-served. Particular attention will be given to the elderly who don't know about the food bank or can't go their for lack of transportation or because of illness or disability.

"We will deliver," Co-vice president Jody Bacon said.

Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Walters said board members and other volunteers, including high school students, are eager to help. Persons in need should call in time for distribution day, which is the second and fourth Saturday of the month, but emergency calls will gladly be accepted.

The MAFB is truly a community humanitarian effort. The $60,000 building in the Port of Mattawa, on Road 24 SW, was funded by donations and built with volunteer labor.

Freezers and refrigerators that serve as freezers were all donated. All of the stocking and distribution work is done by volunteers.

Most members of the board are new. They include Elvia Greisen-President, Jody Bacon-Co Vice President, Pam Bunger-Co Vice President, Barbara Walters-Secretary Treasurer, Wil Rance, Cheli Valdovinos, Mary Gotts, Mary Soto and Lucille Lopez.

On an alternating basis, members of the community drive to Moses Lake to truck back USDA commodities. Even grocery store keepers do it.

"They don't feel threatened by the food bank," Walters said. "They are our strongest supporters."

Bacon added: "The people don't abuse the food bank. In February our distribution can be as many as 700 families. I can tell when the work comes because our number drops to 200, and the parking lots at the grocery stores are full."

Bacon and Walters addressed what they said is a persistent misconception. The MAFB is not for poor immigrant Mexican farm workers only.

"It's for everyone," Walters said. "It's to supplement their own groceries. Each family gets one box, and it's the same box for everyone."

Some times, Walters added, that box is not supplemental. Some times it's all a family has to eat.

"One woman came over to me and grabbed my arm and, with tears streaming down her cheeks, said, 'gracias, gracias,' over and over," Walters recalled.

Bacon noted no family is turned away. And no questions are asked except those necessary to serve the need.

The MAFB is funded by grants from the state, local vineyards, orchards, farms and businesses. There are fundraisers like the upcoming Bake/Tag Sale Luncheon on June 21 at the Sagebrush Senior Center in Desert Aire.

Sources of food are the USDA at Moses Lake, Northwest Harvest based out of Yakima and MAFB purchases of bulk foods.

There are always ways you can help. For instance, the MAFB is in need of freezers. They may be second hand but need to be in good condition.

"We're using the freezers of some refrigerators, but that's a waste of electricity," Bacon said.

Refrigerators are not needed. The MAFB has a walk-in cooler that was built by volunteers a couple of years ago.