Karen Lyn, executive director of the Florence Food bank for the last eight years, unloads food to be distributed to low income families at the food bank in Florence. The Florence Food Share program always is looking for volunteers to work at the food bank, helping others less fortunate.

There are two slogans that describe the work being done by the Florence Food Bank: “People Helping People,” and “Sharing is Caring.”

“Florence residents and businesses are very generous,” said Karen Lyn, executive director of Florence Food Share. Florence Food Share serves more than 500 households each month in the Florence and Mapleton areas. The local unit is a part of the Oregon State Food Bank Network and its collection facility, which distributes food throughout the state. Food for Lane County accounts for about half of the total, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture and private funds account for the rest.

Noting that more than 650,000 Oregonians received emergency food at least once, from July 2001 through June 2005, Lyn said, “Even in boom times, many low-wage families had difficulty putting food on the table.”

Florence Food Share was formed in 1988 to help people in need.

“For many of these families, their health and employment ran out at the same time,” Lyn said. “Many organizations and individuals have contributed to Florence Food Share to make it a valuable part of the community.” The United Way of Lane County, The Boy Scouts and the U.S. Postal Service's Florence office have sponsored food drives that have netted from 4,000 to 8,000 pounds of food for the needy. In addition, companies such as Safeway, Fred Meyer, Grocery Outlet, and Salmonberry, in Florence donate canned goods, bread and many other items on a daily basis.

The local Food Share operates from a store and warehouse located at 2190 Spruce St. The organization pays $1 per year to the New Life Lutheran Church for its property lease, but it owns the buildings.

Boxes of food are delivered to Mapleton Area Family Services, on order. The well-equipped Florence facility has a walk-in cooler and freezer, one household-size refrigerator and two freezers.

There are only three people (two of them part-time), on the payroll. The other 65 people who work at Food Share are volunteers. On any given day, as many as eight volunteers are on duty.

Lyn said there always is a great need for volunteers to collect food, interview clients, pack food boxes, break down foods received in bulk, unload trucks and help tend to the Food Bank's garden. Volunteers also are needed to assist in food drives and fund-raising, Collecting and distributing donated food is not cost-free. Utilities and other overhead must be paid.

“Without the volunteers, we could not operate as we do now,” Lyn said. “We always have openings for volunteers. Three of them make daily pickups from local donors, while another five serve the householders as they come in for their food.”

Lyn emphasized that the funds collected in Florence, stay in Florence.

The Kroger Corp., which owns the Florence Fred Meyer store, is active in a new program, “The Fresh Alliance.” Products within shelf-life dates are taken from the shelves and frozen, and donated locally, rather than shipped elsewhere for distribution. The Florence Food Share is the first to become part of this program.

Those interested in receiving assistance from the Florence Food Bank must fill out forms, which are available at the office. The forms verify their need and eligibility for assistance. Further information can be obtained by calling (541) 997-9110, or stopping at the Food Share office.