Wallace Food Bank acknowledges its hard workers
Volunteers from the former United Methodist Food Bank in Wallace were honored during a transitional ceremony last week. The newly christened Wallace Food Bank will continue to operate in the churches basement. Among the honored were Diane and Sandy Sanderfer (sitting), and representing the church was Marylin White. Photo by JOSH MCDONALD
WALLACE — The Wallace community made some changes to their local food bank last week, as control of the service was turned over from one group to another local group.
The United Methodist Church’s Food Bank has been serving the east end of Shoshone County for 20 years, but as of Friday, the food bank is now called the Wallace Food Bank. While it will remain in the basement of the United Methodist Church, control of the service has shifted to a non-church affiliated organization.
Pastor Art Fleming a seven-year volunteer of the food bank, believes that more than 20,000 people (including repeat customers) have been served by the food bank in Wallace.
Fleming then took time to honor those from the church who have been involved in making the food bank run.
“We’re just so thankful to the Methodist Church for what they’ve done here for the last 20 years,” Fleming said. “This is a large portion of the community that comes down here and works every week.”
Fleming then spoke about a very special couple who have been the heartbeat of the food bank and recognized them specifically for all that they have done.
“Diane and Sandy Sanderfer have been the heart and soul of this for many years,” Fleming said. “We just owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
Wallace mayor Lynn Mogensen then presented them a special plaque commemorating their efforts.
“I just want to say that I think I have seen the Sanderfers rain, sleet, or snow (a callback to Mogensen’s job with the U.S. Postal Service) they do everything top to bottom here to make sure this stayed open,” an emotional Mogensen said. “This is thanking you. Part of the reason I live in this community are people like this.”
The food bank will remain in its current location.
Anyone who has donated monetarily or would like to donate to the food bank should now make checks out to the Wallace Food Bank.