Captain Raymond Morris of The Dalles Salvation Army unloads supplies as he prepares to open their food bank for the afternoon. He said the food bank has been very busy, with the closure of other pantries. Patrons are guided into a drive-by delivery area, and are asked to stay in their vehicles. The system is working, Morris said, but has some unique challenges. “Standing six feet away, with all the noise and traffic, it can be hard to communicate.” Following a community member’s post on Facebook suggesting Dallesport and other Washington communities would not be served, Morris clarified that food is available to anyone. “We suggested to a patron there might be food available closer to them,” he explained. He said Oregon and Washington are operating under different state orders during the crisis, but food is distributed to all who come. “We will give food to anyone in need, regardless of where they are from.”
The command team is composed of Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam county governments; North Central Public Health districts and Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue.The command team is requesting donations for the COVID-19 response effort.Items being requested:
Many food pantries in the Gorge have suspended services due to facility restrictions and staffing needs, but communities continue to be served, according to the Columbia Gorge Food Bank (CGFB.)
