Food, Food, And More Food

Phil Cook (left) and Richard Behrns look hot and tired after a long shift handing out food at Washburn Community Outreach. That's because they are hot and tired.

Kermit the Frog sings, "It's not easy being green."

In 90 degree heat and lifting and hauling boxes of food, volunteers at Washburn Community Outreach might well sing, "It's not easy being us."

The volunteer platoon that loads boxes, lifts boxes, opens boxes, puts boxes in the cars of folks who need food is truly an inspiration.

"We feed them because we love them," reads the Washburn tee shirt worn by most of the volunteers who in the month of August served over 2000 families from Rutherford and surrounding counties.

Washburn is also home to a new 20x40 storage facility paid for by a grant from RHI, The Woman's League of Rutherfordton, and Food Lion.

This statement from Washburn director, Anita Behrns, tells much of the story, "Tim Davis was instrumental in the concrete work. The building will be used for food storage. The overhang is 50 by 10 and will allow volunteers to stay dry when it rains and cool in the summer. We have a drive thru operation and have been able to serve in excess of 400 families weekly. We broke all records during the month of August by serving over 2000 families which involved over 4500 children, adults and seniors. These numbers do not include the food truck (which comes once a month and food is distributed at South Mountain Christian Camp).

"We have a team of volunteers who go weekly to Second Harvest in Charlotte. They include Tim Davis, Bob Billingsley, Richard and Anita Behrns. We have been very fortunate to have a team of volunteers come three days a week and serve for six-hour time periods, they include: Mary Lynch, Jean Gordon, Tim Davis, Bob Billingsley, Don Hammond, Karen Hall, Pastor Lisa Moore, Pastor Sam Burleson, Student Lydia Bridges, Becky Carson, Richard Behrns, Nancy Dorsey, Ruth Grier, Theresa Harley, Vanessa Baynard, Scott Bernard and Phil Cook. Tommy Hutchins is our volunteer who fixes, picks up food and keeps us calm.

"We can never say thank you enough for all our volunteers for making dreams a reality. They are consistent in their support. Due to COVID-19 we could use financial donations. It is truly amazing what can be accomplished when people work together."

Donations can be mailed to Washburn Community Outreach, 2934 Piney Mountain Church Road, Bostic, 28018.