A message from our Program Coordinator, Jules Fredrikson:
Susan James (LBFS Coordinator) called to clarify that neither she or LBFS has the control over how many or which days we have distributions. That is solely up to Philomath Gleaner’s participants. So, at this juncture nothing is changing.
However, if we don’t get adequate help and people don’t sign up to help with pick ups, distribution, washing dishes, opening and closing, etc., I don’t see how we can continue. Just a side note, LBFS will never force us to go to a single distribution day. That is solely up to Gleaner’s. But all things being equal, if members don’t start signing up to work, (Gleaner’s is a community of helpers to obtain the food we receive) we, the leadership team and advisory team will probably cut it down to a single distribution day. We have a core group of volunteers that work faithfully, and reliably but there are not enough other people filling the sign up necessary work slots. We cannot in any way shape or form function as it is right now. If we back down to one day a week, the folks that are abusing the system need to realize it is not the core, hard working folks to blame. Unfortunately every member suffers the consequences for the negligence of other members. Change isn’t always easy but If every household pulls their weight and if people sign up for the divisions on the wheel, (the drawing on the door of the freezer) we can reduce the hours required. If you don’t want to help make Gleaner’s successful and a group we’re proud of, perhaps the Food Pantry would be for you, a better fit.
Neither Jennie or I will kill ourselves for y’all. That’s not our job. If you think we signed up to do all the work, you’re mistaken. We’re analyzing every Gleaner household’s contribution. This can be a fun place to get groceries and see friends. We can be an awesome group. But if members continue to ignore their contribution hours, they will be the ones forcing negative changes like going to one day a week.
