Holiday Needs: Can you help?
VOLUME 22, ISSUE 3
For many of us the holidays mean gathering together with family and friends to celebrate with special meals and treats and to exchange gifts. But for too many, making ends meet means no special foods and no gifts. If you'd like to bring the joy of the holidays to those who would otherwise go without, we have a few ways you can help make that happen.
The first is through financial donations. The Marysville Community Food Bank can buy holiday foods in bulk at the best prices with no sorting required, thus streamlining the process. Likewise, the Toy Store can buy gifts for community children who would otherwise have none, sometimes at reduced cost. You can donate to the MCFB on our Facebook page, on our website at marysvillefoodbank.org, or by mailing a check to MCFB, PO Box 917, Marysville, WA 98270. To donate to the Toy Store, simply designate 'Toy Store' or visit their website here.
The second way is by donating the three foods we need most: turkeys, hams and pies! Although we gladly accept all food donations, turkeys, hams and pies would be most appreciated. Perhaps you'll have the opportunity to get a free turkey or ham through a grocery store promotion or from your workplace that you will not need for your own use. If so, please consider donating it to the Food Bank. You can also place non-perishable items in our red collection barrels, located at businesses around town.
The third way you can help is by volunteering. Come join our team of hard-working, fun-loving volunteers and get in the holiday spirit! Visit the volunteer page to learn more, or call Michelle at 360-658-1054.
MCFB Toy Store: Location, Logistics, Volunteers
We're counting on our faithful volunteers and supporters to make the holidays bright again this year for hundreds of families through the MCFB Toy Store. We are happy to be back in-person this year at The Grove Church, which has graciously agreed to host once again.
Marysville, Tulalip and Lakewood fam ilies who need assistance providing gifts for children ages newborn to 17 can register online Nov. 1–30. Visit the Toy Store webpage to register,
donate towards gifts, shop the Toy Store's Amazon registry, or to sign up to volunteer.
Interested volunteers may also email toystore@marysvillefoodbank.org or call/text 360-722-1918. Plus, you may place new, unwrapped toys in our red collection barrels, located at local businesses. Thanks for helping us make a difference this holiday season!
Support us Through Online Donations
The very best way to donate to MCFB online is through Network for Good accessed through our website's 'Donate' page. If you've used PayPal in the past, please donate now through Network for Good. The Marysville community is truly generous. Thank you!
Volunteers in the Spotlight
We thank all our volunteers, whose hard work and dedication allow us to serve our community. Here are our recent Volunteers of the Month!
May: Brian Rydberg
When the pandemic hit and Brian Rydberg was furloughed at work, he decided to use his newfound time to help others. Since then he's gone back to work as a route driver for National Entertainment Network, yet he's still volunteering every Saturday morning, receiving donations in the warehouse and supporting the produce sorters.
Brian loves watching sports, especially racing and football. Go Hawks! He and his wife Lenora have a dog named Roxie. Brian says helping his community and spending time with his fellow volunteers is what keeps him coming back. Thank you, Brian for your dedicated help!
June: Jan Bates, Bonnie Ramsey, Barbara Sherwood, Darlene Strotz
Our Volunteer Appreciation Picnic in June wouldn't have happened, let alone been such a
success, had it not been for the hard work of these four women.
Jan Bates' goal when she retired as Marysville school bus driver had always been to help out at the Food Bank. She fulfilled that goal a year ago, much to our delight! Since then she's volunteered every Tuesday during distribution and every Thursday to help prepare Food for Thought packs. Jan and her husband have three married daughters and three grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, kayaking, hiking, sewing, quilting, baking and working with Days for Girls International.
Bonnie Ramsey began an 18-year involvement with the Toy Store in 1995. She stays connected to the Food Bank helping as needs arise, including as a back-up driver for her husband Grover. A pregnancy and childbirth educator and childcare trainer for 35 years, she currently works as a produce clerk at Fred Meyer. Bonnie and Grover have five children and eight grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, painting, and serving kids.
