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Not far from Connie Nelson’s office at Spokane Valley Partners, a site has been cleared for a warehouse that will store fresh and frozen foods. The footprint for the 4,300-square-foot building sits adjacent to the Valley Food Bank, a facility that distributed over 973,000 pounds of nutrition to area residents in 2007.
Since being hired as the agency’s program director in April, Nelson has made sure people know about the project.
“It’s about creating community support,” said Nelson, who served as the program director for Second Harvest Food Bank from 1998 to 2004.
SVP still needs to generate around $6,700 to qualify for a state grant of $260,000 that will finance construction of the warehouse. Equipment for the facility will run around $70,000.
While the fund-raising goal seems daunting, Nelson is hopeful that the community will rally around the cause.
“If everyone in our service area donated two dollars, we’d be there,” Nelson said. “For one day, send the cost of your latte to us.”
As the program director, Nelson’s job duties center more around seasonal events like Coats 4 Kids and the Back to School Supply drive as well as the coordination of volunteers – but according to SVP Executive Director Ken Briggs, the task of generating funds falls on everyone in the office.
“We all dig in on development,” Briggs said.
With an extensive background in social services, including experience with organizations like the Northeast Community Center and the Washington Food Coalition, Nelson understands how an agency like SVP can provide a valuable foundation for individuals and families facing their share of challenges.
“The most important thing we offer is hope,” Nelson said. “The people I work with are very dedicated and very aware that we’re here to help people.”
Nelson took over for Sharon Hengy, who accepted a job with Life Services of Spokane after six years with SVP. Nelson was hired from a list of around 30 applicants.
“Her enthusiasm is contagious,” Briggs said. “She brings some good experience in the kinds of programs we run here.”
Nelson is quick to deflect any accolades to the corps of volunteers who continue to donate time at the food and clothing banks as well as to other SVP programs. Last year, volunteer contributed over 24,000 hours to the organization.
“Around here, there is no such thing as ‘just a volunteer,’” Nelson said. “They are such an important part of what we do.”
Nelson continues to recruit help for the agency in a number of areas. From home gardeners planting a row for the hungry to community groups organizing clothing drives, Nelson said every resident can do their part.
“It doesn’t have to be a huge effort – just start somewhere,” she said.
“Everyone has something they can contribute.”
Want to find out more?
Spokane Valley Partners is located at 10814 E. Broadway and can be reached by calling 927-1153. In addition to a food and clothing bank, the facility houses a women, infants and children health clinic, Spokane Neighborhood Action Program office, Alight Counseling Service and victims advocacy programs. For more information, visit www.svpart.org
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By
Craig Howard
