Food drives begin

Walter Sprague
Art and Culture Reporter
 
Thanksgiving is around the corner. With all the turmoil that 2020 has brought, food has become more important to many people. While there are still plenty of people who have not been hard hit by COVID-19, others have lost jobs, had hours severely cut or have been personally hit with this virus. Many people are in want, and that becomes even more severe as we head into colder weather.
But others are reaching out, digging deep, and helping to make sure that nobody is going to starve. Among them is the Newcastle Middle School student council, under the supervision of Leslie Morris. For the past two years, the council has sponsored a food drive to help those in need. Morris says that, in a way, they have it structured to make it sort of like a competition with others who collect food, helping to foster a go-get-’em attitude that has made the drives a great success in the past. She is excited to see it this year as well.
“Last year we collected over 600 items,” Morris said, “That put us as the greatest contributor for the Stuff The Bus drive.”
Troy Allen, head of the school’s transportation department, which runs Stuff the Bus, is also working hard to supply the community with food for Thanksgiving. He is also looking forward to seeing if the middle school can be the most significant contributor again this year.
“We have boxes at the elementary, middle and high schools that the students and teachers can donate to,” Allen said. He also indicated that they are working to have boxes set up at Woody’s Food Center and Decker’s Market and possibly have buses at both locations. The dates for the Stuff the Bus food drive are Nov. 16-20.
Morris also said that after the food drive is over, student council members will deliver and work with BREAD. 
“That allows the kids to see how the BREAD office works,” Morris said. She feels this is a good experience for the students and gives them a heart for those who need help.
Ken Pitlick runs the BREAD office. He says that the food pantry is doing very well and continues to be stocked up on food supplies, toiletries and some medical supplies.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have a lot of donations,” Pitlick said, “We have a lot of food for the rush that happens at Thanksgiving.” 
He also indicated that another truck from Denver was coming in the next day or two. He feels that they are set up to service Newcastle, not just with food but also with the volunteers who give their time to help the community.
One such person is Kristi Knight, who has been volunteering for a couple of years now. She loves the work and says that it is her favorite thing she does.
“I love that I can help people when they need it the most,” she said, as she was sorting through bags, getting them prepared to load with food for people.
Pitlick said that while it’s been a year that the need is more significant than it has been in the past, BREAD can still supply the needs of those who sign up.
“People just need to fill out a form.” Pitlick said, “Anyone having financial problems can get help. They mark on the form what they need, and then the volunteers bag up what they have and take it out to the vehicles for them.”
Anyone needing assistance can contact BREAD Inc. At (307) 746-3542. Their hours of operation are Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30 to 1:00. Of course, they will not be open on Thanksgiving Day. They are located at 627 Pine St., next to the Weston County Senior Center.