“People need food”: Local food bank struggling to stock shelves forced to turn people away

SPOKANE — Hungry families who rely on donations to keep food on the table are wondering where their next meal will come from after a local food pantry struggling to keep the shelves stocked was temporarily forced to close its doors.

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center food bank in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood closed its doors Wednesday because it simply didn’t have enough supplies to give out.

“There’s really nothing that we could give out today that we haven’t already given them,” said Freda Gandy, Executive Director of the MLK Jr. Community Center.

The food bank, which operates three days a week, serves one of the city’s most vulnerable communities. The temporary closure cuts off food access for hundreds of people dealing with food insecurity.

“When you really have nothing to give to this community that is dealing with food insecurity, it’s a problem,” Gandy said.

Partners who typically stock the shelves have recently been unable to deliver adequate supplies.

“This is where we are at in our community right now, that people need food and we’re not able to do it today. And we have to turn people away,” Gandy said.

The timing is particularly challenging for families that need to feed children who would normally receive meals at school.

“It’s hard to see families with children not having access to food,” Gandy said.

With nearly empty shelves, the food bank is turning to the community for help.

“What we’re doing day by day is just taking it day by day,” Gandy said.

Community members interested in donating food items can drop off donations at the center (500 S. Stone Street). The center is also looking for volunteers during the weekdays from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The pantry is hoping to collect peanut butter, canned soups, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned tuna, canned salmon, rice, pasta, cereal, juice, cheese, fresh fruit, fresh veggies.

Once the pantry reopens, those in need of donations can visit the pantry Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. – 3 p. No appointment necessary. Everyone is welcome. The center asks you please clean out your trunk to accept donations.

For more information, call 509-868-0856 or visit www.mlkspokane.org.