Can’t say that George Taylor didn’t jump right in to volunteering.
The Vancouver resident was literally jumping into the large tote boxes Tuesday afternoon in a sorting room at the Clark County Food Bank. It was his first day volunteering. He was pulling food donations up to hand off to another volunteer.
Despite pandemic conditions, everyone helping thought this year’s Drive & Drop — formerly known as Walk & Knock — was a success.
“I think it’s great organization to put this together,” said Taylor, a regular Clark County Food Bank donor who is retired and using his spare time to volunteer. “It’s something anyone could do. I’m glad to see all the donations.”
Volunteer Shelly Fultz of Camas said the food bank has been making sure all those who help are staying safe.
“That’s why we have one person per table,” she said as a team of 13 volunteers buzzed around sorting, assembling and stacking boxes.
The team works for an hour and half, and then a second shift of 13 follows.
The early total was 116,000 pounds of food with more still coming in. Not to mention cash donations.
Last year, 250,000 pounds of food was collected; in 2018, it was 205,000 pounds.
No one was expecting those numbers this year, but what has come in has surprised everyone — in a good way.
“We just didn’t know if it would be 20,000 or 50,000 or 100,000 pounds,” Clark County Food Bank warehouse manager Brent Derocher said while standing among stacks of filled tote boxes. “There was lots of internal guessing.
“This is a success. It was huge to do it this year. Clark County really cares about their own.”
Tom Knappenberger, the president of the nonprofit Walk & Knock, said he was real happy they were able to figure out a way to collect food and do it safely.
“Even if it was half as much, it’s pleasing to help,” he said. “I feel good about it.”
He mentioned how the barrels at the drop sites were bringing in more donations than the 10 drive-up locations.
“That’s something to keep in mind down the road,” he said.
The nonprofit will meet in early next year to determine how future drives will proceed.
He mentioned sending out postcard reminders was received very well.
“There are always different ways of doing things,” he said. “Pros and cons. The goal is always to help the food bank.”
And there’s still time to give.
Barrel locations throughout Clark County — Riverside Bank, Cost Less Auto Parts and Les Schwab Tires — are still taking donations through Monday. Information on those specific locations and how to make financial contributions online are available at walkandknock.org/how-to-donate or www.clarkcountyfoodbank.org/donate.
