October 13 Meeting Notes

Announcements

Make-a-Difference Day projects for October 24 will include work party at Rotary Park, and yard cleanup at Ron Griffith's and Lorraine Church.  Details to come.

Kathleen reported the next Pybus Farmers Market Take-Over is Saturday. Oct. 17th. Contact Kathleen if you would like to volunteer. There are still 3 two-hour shifts to fill. Wear your Rotary shirts, hats, masks, etc. We are the hosts and greeters. Let's have some fun and show off our Rotary spirit.

On October 31, Halloween, 2-4 pm, there will be a "Candy Crux" at Pybus Market. Parent will bring their kids by to pick up candy and drive off. If you are interested, contact Kathleen. If you attend plan to wear a costume or at least a mask. Kathleen needs some help assembling some foam airplanes with Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary Club logo on them. Again, contact Kathleen if you can help build airplanes.

Club elections will be in December and three club members have stepped forward to be on the ballot. Chris McDarment put his name in for a Board position. Rebecca Lyons has volunteered to be on the ballot for a Board position from Dec. through June 2021. Robin DeRock threw her hat in the ring for the Vice President position for that same period. We still need another club member to step forward to be on the ballot for the VP position starting in July 2021 through June 2022. Get nominations to Earl or Taro.

Earl attended an Area Presidents meeting regarding Polio Plus, and Oct. 24th as World Polio Day. Richard DeRock, District 5060 District Governor, proposed each member donate $20.20 to Polio Plus (can be billed to your dues invoice by Treasurer Craig Reese). Next week, the social committee will have a video on this subject.

Craig Reese gave a report on The Rotary Foundation and its goal of 100% of each club donating at least $50. In our club, if you donate $50, the club will match that $50 for The Rotary Foundation. More information to follow.

John Schapman gave a run down on the previous day's Board Meeting. There was discussion about moving to the Club Runner website, rather that continue to use the web services we have. The Public Image Committee is going to discuss this aspect and report back to the club in early November. The

Board voted to provide $900 to the Bruce Hotel Women's Resource Center for Christmas gifts for youngsters there. The East Wenatchee Rotary Club has opted to make a donation as well. The Board also approved the purchase of children's library books to be donated in our  club meeting speakers' names.

Program

Alan Walker introduced Kim Eads, Program Manager, for the Washington State Department of
Agriculture's Food Assistance Program. She has been supporting over 500 state food banks for over 34 years. Kim has a degrees in Agriculture and Forestry from Western Washington University.

Prior to the CoVid-19 virus, one in six Washington residents were using some sort of food assistance at a food bank or pantry. Since Covid-19, that number has grown by 50%.

Northwest Harvest ships the food products directly to the food distribution partners at no cost. Many "bonus foods", such as bulk cheese from the USDA, are distributed by Life Line on the West side of the mountains and 2nd Harvest on the East side of the mountains.

Washington Food Coalition formulates the strategies for the food procurement and distribution, thus serving the greatest number of people in need.

The emergency food program (TEFAP) has about 80 low-sugar and low-salt food products for distribution.

The F2FP program connects small farmers with the needs of different communities.

The WSDA uses Charlie's Produce to get left over vegetables. The airlines serving the Northwest also provide food donations from their meal preparation areas

The $100 million input from FEMA and other government funding will end December 31st, 2020. Foods in reserve have been stockpiled in warehouses.

Kim took a question:

Q1: Jim asked: With each 2nd Harvest truck costing over $4000, does the state fund this, or does 2nd Harvest?

A1: Kim said that the funding comes from 2nd Harvest.

Earl said the club would be donating a children's library book in Kim's name for being our speaker today.

Earl closed the meeting with the quote from John Wooden: "Make each day your masterpiece!"