SPOKANE, Wash. – The Caritas Food Bank has moved to a larger space and can now serve double the number of families thanks to help from 4 News Now’s Extreme Team.
The food bank now serves double the number of people it used to be able to help, with over 40 families helped each day it operates.
Executive Director Christine Tabat says the move solves problems from their old location.
“To be able to serve people, that’s what we’re about,” Tabat said. “My clients no longer have to stand outside in the elements. At our old location, they were out there in the snow, in the rain and the wind. Now, they can come in, have and seat, and get out of those elements.”
The move was made possible with the help of the 4 News Now Extreme Team, who finished renovating the building last month.
The new space has shelves stocked with fresh food and refrigerators full of milk and cheese. Families lined up before the food bank opened.
The larger space means they can help more families. The only limit is how many volunteers they have to help each client.
Board Chairman Tim Ray says they serve different types of people.
“We have seniors, children and working people that are underemployed that need help with having good, nutritious food,” Ray said.
The need for food banks keeps growing. Ray says clients include people who moved to the area and lost jobs or don’t earn enough money.
“You have somebody that may have just moved into the country or they’ve just moved into this area, and they thought they had a job and that job didn’t pan out or it’s not enough to cover their expenses, so they’ll come in and take advantage of the food bank,” Ray said.
The food bank wants more volunteers to serve more people. It opens Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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