By Doug Barker
The Daily World
RAYMOND — While sitting in a briefing related to her job with the Chinook Indian Nation, Bethany Barnard heard that some families in the Raymond area were finding it harder than ever to put food on the table in light of COVID-19 impacts. She said she couldn’t stand the thought. That night, she and her husband Mark resolved to do something to help.
They enlisted the help of their friend Jim Olsen and the Raymond Elks Lodge and now, they and a growing group of volunteers are delivering about 200 meals once a week to families in the Raymond area. The meals are prepared in the Elks’ commercial kitchen.
They’ve been doing it about a month. Bethany said she and her husband are both still working and felt like they needed to share their good fortune with those who aren’t. They got started with their own money and as the program has grown, institutions and individuals have made generous donations. As of a week ago, the program had received $5,000 in donations, which are funneled through the Elks Lodge.
The first week, they delivered about 90 meals, getting names from schools and social service agencies.
On Good Friday they opened the program up to the general public and served about 350 salmon dinners. Some people came and picked them up, and others were delivered. The regular, weekly Tuesday meals are all delivered, many with the help of the school district and the True North mentoring program.
Barnard works in a program providing traditional foods for those in the Chinook Indian Nation, and says her background led her to want to help. “As a citizen of the Chinook Indian Nation, I was raised to think of the community and to help those in need. The Emergency Meal Program is taking my teachings and applying them to a larger group, our community.”
Those who would like to donate may send donations to: Raymond Elks, Emergency Meal Program, PO Box 26, Raymond, WA 98577. Checks should be made out to the Emergency Meal Program.
The Willapa Valley Teacher’s Association and Willapa Harbor Hospital have made generous donations, Barnard said.
