For more than 30 years, the Woodland Action Center has been a vital supporter for local families in need, offering food and resources to help those facing financial hardship.
However, the nonprofit now faces increasing challenges, especially in recruiting enough volunteers to meet the growing demand.
Board President DeeAnna Holland emphasized the strain on the food bank. In September, the food bank changed its distribution days to biweekly because of a shortage of volunteers and available food resources. The center depends on donations and volunteer support to operate. DeeAnna said that a lack of both, especially volunteers, led to this change.
“We were every single Saturday and have been for several years. Because of the shortage in food and volunteers, we dropped down to every other Saturday,” Holland explained.
Call for volunteers
Holland highlighted the pressing need for volunteers during biweekly food drives, particularly on Saturday afternoons. The food bank currently has less than six regular volunteers, many of whom are in their 70s, according to Holland. The number of volunteers tends to drop off later in the day, and anyone available after 1 p.m. is encouraged to assist. Tasks include date-checking donated food items, sorting and helping to distribute food to families.
Holland also noted a need for bilingual volunteers to support the growing number of Spanish-speaking clients, who now make up roughly 25% of those served by the food bank. Although the Woodland Action Center has attempted to secure state funding for translation services, these efforts have been unsuccessful.
Additionally, the Woodland Action Center offers community service opportunities and pre-employment transition training for volunteers. Last summer, three high school students participated in work training through the Youth Employment Services (YES) program. For those interested in gaining volunteer experience, Holland said even a few hours can make a difference. While many individuals and companies reach out to volunteer during the holiday season, Holland emphasized the need for year-round support.
“I like to tell [people] our clients eat 364 other days of the year, so we could really use your help, not [only] during the holidays [but] all the other times of the year,” Holland said.
Growing need for food donations
The Woodland Action Center also seeks food donations from the community. Holland noted that, compared with last year, the food bank receives less food from companies.
In August, prior to its switch to bi-weekly food bank days, the food bank served 412 families, distributing over 21,543 pounds of food. That month, the food bank received 23,472 pounds of food from statewide business donors, including United National Foods Inc. (UNFI), Safeway and Walmart. In August 2023, 34,371 pounds of food were donated to the food bank.
“A lot of the food, we get from Walmart and Safeway, so we’ve never had to compete locally for food sources, but because other groups are trying to be food banks, they are also going to the same place as we go to get food. So we’re getting less and less [food], but our numbers are going up,” Holland said.
Additionally, Holland noted a recent surge in food bank visitors from outside of the Woodland Action Center’s focus area. She noted food banks distribute goods meant to last a family until the next distribution day, and she believes those driving or being sent to Woodland from other regions are not helping as the demand increases. Holland noted that the issue has grown since during the COVID-19 pandemic when state legislation, still in place, mandated food banks continue to serve any Washingtonian whether or not they are local to the area. She pointed to August 2023, in which, of the 672 households served, 104 had returned from previous months, while 568 were entirely new clients.
“So what you run into is what I call pantry tourism. [Some] drive from pantry to pantry to pantry collecting food … I don’t see the point of driving to five different food banks if you don’t need that much food,” she said.
For locals considering donating to the food bank, Holland said that canned fruits and vegetables are best, as they are among the most urgently needed items.
Thrift store supporting food bank efforts
In addition to the food bank, the Woodland Action Center operates a thrift store, which began as a free clothing source and has since evolved into a funding mechanism for the food bank. The store remains an affordable option for low-income households, with all proceeds going toward keeping the food bank open. The store continues to provide free clothing for families in immediate need.
“Let’s say your house catches on fire or you’re displaced … you can come in here and shop for free. You can get all the things you need,” Holland said. “A lot of our community is very giving and so they do donate some very nice quality items. … Yeah, they could sell it on eBay, but they donate it here so that we can, we can get some money to keep the lights on.”
The thrift store currently has seven regular volunteers, but additional help is always needed to sort and organize donations. Like the food bank, the store’s operations rely heavily on the generosity of the community.
Holland noted that, for the colder months approaching, the center will also seek donations of gloves, hand warmers and other cold-weather supplies.
The Woodland Action Center Thrift Store is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Donations are accepted from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The food bank distributes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every second Saturday at 736 Davidson Ave., Woodland.
For more information about volunteering or donating, visit woodlandaction.org. Holland also recommends locals follow facebook.com/woodlandaction/ for updates. Clark County locals can also find their nearest food bank at clarkcountyfoodbank.org/foodfinder.
