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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
August 23, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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August 23, 2012
 
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I By GORDON WEEKS gordon@masoncoun.ty.com In a handwritten letter, a Bordeaux Elementary student thanked the Saints' Pantry Food Bank for sending her home from school on Friday afternoons with a plastic bag containing Top Ra- men, oatmeal, chili, fruit cups, energy bars, macaroni and cheese and fruit juice. "In these bags aren't just food but love," the girl wrote the Shel- ton-based charity group, which launched its "backpack" program last winter. Some of the other 115 Mason County homeless kids who re- ceived the food backpacks also ex- pressed their gratitude in letters. "Thanks for the food bags, they have made it much easier to go through the weekends when we have no food stamps left. These food bags have been lifesavers when times are harsh for those of us who have the 'short end of the stick.'" "Thank you for being someone who cares. I don't know I'd sur- vive without them." "I'm not sure what I would have Journa photo Dy Gordon Weeks Patty Russell, community outreach coordinator for the Saints' Pantry Food Bank in Shelton, and Steve Russell, the organization's executive director, display the food items the group donates in bags to homeless local chil- dren as they leave school on Fridays. eaten without them. It means a lot to know you care enough about us to make these for us. But as the school year begins. Saints' Pantry Food Bank di- rectors say they will struggle to meet the demands of the estimat- ed 300 homeless, food-deprived children in local schools, many of whom receive free or reduced- price breakfasts and lunches at school. The organization was dis- tributing 115 food packs on Fri- days at the end of the last school year, but plan to donate 150 bags each week beginning in late Sep- tember. The food backpacks - actually packaged in plastic Walmart bags for discretion - cost the Saints' Pantry about $5.19 each. The food bank is fueled exclusively by donations, and its supplies are being stretched by residents who recently had their food stamps cut off by the state, said Billie Howard. vice president of the or- ganization's board of directors. "When you're putting together 115 backpacks a week, your food supply dwindles fast," said Steve Russell. the food bank's executive director. Teachers and counselors iden- tify the students who do not have a parent or adult in the home full-time, or sleep on the couches of friends. For some kids, "when they go home on the weekends, they have absolutely nothing," said Saints' Pantry Community Outreach Coordinator Patty Rus- sell. One child was sharing his bag with his brother and parents, all living m one car, said Steve Rus- sell. The protein and fruit is vital to learning, the food bank coordina- tors said. "(Teachers) see a difference in the children in their attention span, and improvement in their work," said Patty Russell. Checks can be sent to The Saints' Pantry Food Bank, with a notation to be credited to the Backpack Program, P.O. Box 1064, Shelton. Food items can also be delivered to the food bank at 214 S. Second St. in Shelton. The organization will also pick up donations. For more information, call 427-8847 or 426-8443. Residents can also donate food items at a benefit block party for The Saints' Pantry hosted from 1-5 p.m. onSept. 15 at St. David's Episcopal Church, 324 W. Cedar St., Shelton. The event features food, games, a dunk tank and mu- sic by the band The Varmints. The food bank serves about 1,000 people each week. Patrons don't have to prove they are needy, and no one is ever turned away. "All you have to do is let us know if that you're hungry," said Howard. urray, ason un pics p By NATALIE JOHNSON natalie@mason.county.corn Shellfish harvesting xs one of the largest and longest running local industries. Last Thursday, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray visited Mason County, specifically Taylor Shellfish's Skookum Inlet shellfish farm, to discuss how their Wild Olympics Wilder- ness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2012 would help preserve the industry for fu- ture generations. Murray and Dicks intro- duced the bill in Congress and the Senate in June. "Clean water is something that's absolutely critical to this state's future." Murray said to a small group of mem- bers of the press and support- ers of the bill Thursday. The legislation is designed to create 126.554 acres of new wilderness in the Olym- pic National Forest. accord- ing to Murray's office. It also allows for an addi- tional 5,346 acres of wilder- ness to be created by future elected officials and designates 19 rivers and seven tributaries as Wild and Scenic Rivers. Proponents of the bill say it will preserve and enhance existing recreational areas in the Olympic National For- est. protect drinking water and fisheries and encourages tourism. "Protecting shellfish is a jobs issue in Washington state." Dicks said. He said preserving wilder- ness and rivers is expected to improve water quality in Puget Sound. "It's from the snowcaps ~o the whitecaps." he said. "Hood Canal has been a spe- cial place for my family. We have challenges. One of the great challenges is preserv- ing water quality." Dicks said the bill would address ocean acidification in Hood Canal and Puget Sound. a major concern of his. A decrease in the pH in waters of Puget Sound harms native species. While he said the bill was popular, some members of congress do not support it. A: It's true! For less than the cost at the nursing home, an apartment at Alpine Way is an excellent value and includes wonderful amenities. Chef-prepared meals, your own bathroom, privacy, parking, plenty of activities, housekeeping, security, personal laundry service, and licensed nurses on duty 24 hours a day make Alpine an excellent value. You can even bring your own furniture. If you're ready to investigate our services and rates, come and tour Alpine Way. We'd love to treat you to lunch, show you our lovely apartments, and answer all your questions. Call Kathy Burbidge at (360) 426-2600 for a free lunch and tour SHELTONMASONCOU NTY ~o Continuing Care Campus ~e Difference Beh~een ~.iv'i~q ~md Living Well www.alpinewayliving.com 900 West Alpine Way • Shelton, WA 98584 Page A-2 - Shelton-Mason County Journal -Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012 "There are people in con- gress who are still in denial ... that there is something called climate change and people have some responsibil- ity for it." he said. "I think we have really looked a~ these is- sues and tried to look at what people have said. This is very good legislation and it has broad support." The senator and represen- tative spoke in front of the backdrop of the historic Skoo- kum Inlet shellfish farm, Owned by Taylor Shellfish. Bill Dewey, spokesman for Taylor Shellfish, said the area has been cultivated for shellfish since the 1870s. Taylor has owned the land for 50 years. Taylor CEO Bill Taylor gave his support for the Wild OlympicS'plan. He said that increased international de- mand for shellfish makes preserving the waters of the Puget Sound essential to his company. "This helps ensure water quality in the Olympic re- Journa ono~o Dy Natalie Johnson U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, left, speaks with Bill Dewey, spokesman for Taylor Shellfish, Bill Taylor, CEO of Taylor Shellfish and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray before they made comments on the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2012. gion. I think it's going to be a long-term insurance for our industry," he said. Dicks, who represents the 6th Congressional District, is not running for reelection this year. Bill Driscoll (R) and Derek Kilmer (D) will vie for the position in the general election. Dicks said it would be up to Murray and other propo- nents of the bill to keep it moving forward. Washing for a cause Journal photo by Gordon Weeks Olympia resident Allie Weideman, 6, and Tianna Oien of Shelton wash vehicles as part of the Fairemoon Equine Rescue Car Wash for the Critters Saturday at Del's Feed and Farm Supply in Shelton. Members of the group also raised funds that day washing vehicles at the Arcadia Chevron station. They also accepted donations of animal care items, animal feed and blankets and clothing for people impacted by the fires in Kittitas County.