Letters to the Editor

The Editor:
The volunteers I know who work at the food bank are great people. The food I see donated at church looks pretty good, hardly any canned pumpkin. It sounds like the need is greater than the current rate of giving.Yesterday I went for a walk on the beach with my dog just thinking about all the things that had happened in my life.
When the last scene of my life flashed in front of me I looked back and noticed that for much of the way there was only one set of footprints in the sand.
This really bothered me, that’s when I realized that I am so out of shape that I had actually ridden the dog for almost a mile. My New Year’s resolution will be to eat less and donate more food. Thank you Blaine Food Bank volunteers and God bless you for donating your time to help others!
Dave Berry
Blaine

The Editor:
This letter is in response to Jessica O’Donnell’s letter regarding the Blaine Food Bank donations.
The Blaine Food Bank hands out approximately 43,000 pounds of food a month. A local food drive brings in on average 2,000 pounds of food. Since that leaves us in a deficit of approximately 41,000 pounds of food to service our clients we depend on outside sources for our food. Agencies such as Northwest Harvest, Salvation Army and Food Lifeline are all major contributors to our food bank system.
Since produce is very hard to come by in the winter months we are dependent on what the local grocery stores have available. We are grateful for any help we get from the grocers, gleaning groups as well as local growers.
I believe our clients do find a much better selection during the summer months and we are always looking for more help in the produce arena.
I am sure that Ms. O’Donnell will see a change in the produce we hand out in the summer. There have been times when we have had no produce at all and have had to purchase locally; unfortunately we do not have the funds to do this all the time.
The Blaine Food Bank does receive some expired food at times and rather than throw it out we put it out in front of our building along with dented cans for those who want to take it.
We try not to issue any expired foods in our weekly client boxes. Due to the volume that we distribute I am sure that some slide through unbeknown to us.
The elementary school drive brought in 2,569 pounds of food this year which was 910 pounds more than last year.
I would have to say that 95 percent of the product that we received was in excellent condition and could be used by our clients. We appreciate this annual event and have come to depend on their efforts every fall.
The Blaine Food Bank would like to thank the local companies that donate their product and resources. Personally, I would like to thank our volunteers who give their time and are making a difference in our fight against hunger.
Warmest regards,
Sheila K. Connors, president
Blaine Food Bank

The Editor:
The Blaine high school Wind Ensemble would like to thank owner Josh Lehman and manager Cheryll Jorgenson of Everyday Fitness for organizing an Autumn Auction to help provide for the band’s trip to Japan in February 2006.
Josh donated a number of items to the auction and also hosted the auction at Everyday Fitness. Cheryll and band parent Lauri Waslohn worked tirelessly collecting and cataloging auction items. Thank you to all the businesses and individuals who donated items for the auction.
Thank you to Tami Kramme and other band parents who helped with the auction. The auction receipts totaled $6,013 providing each of the 46 band members who helped with the auction $130.71 to their individual accounts. Thank you to all who are helping the band move closer to their goal!
Kristi Galbraith
BFAA president
Blaine

The Editor:
We moved to Blaine from Bellevue a little over a year ago. I like to have my nails manicured and would travel to Ferndale or Bellingham much to my dismay. One day recently, I saw Nikki hanging up her sign near Cost Cutter in Blaine on the Rite Aid side.
This gal does such a beautiful job on natural nails (she does not do acrylics) finishing with a very professional polish job.
I’ve had the best haircut and a completely painless wax on my eyebrows. We are very fortunate to have this great gal in Blaine. Thanks Nikki.
Marlene Bawn
Blaine

The Editor:
The timing of the recent letter to the editor regarding the Blaine Food Bank couldn’t have been more ironic. Perhaps when certain haughty patrons of the Blaine Food Bank have stopped looking their gift-horse in the mouth they will be able to find time this week of Thanksgiving to actually be thankful that the citizens in the Blaine area have cared enough to donate any food for their welfare at all.
Sadly, there are countries around the world such as Somalia and Ethiopia where starvation’s deadly toll is a daily reality. The truly poor indeed are truly desperate when children have to pick through garbage dumps, eating rats or whatever rotting scraps of food they can find for any nutrition at all.
Knowing of such places, do we now live in a culture where it is acceptable for those “poor” but not desperate to insult this caring community regarding the free food that has been graciously donated?
Perhaps the unappreciative patron may be thinking that the “squeaky wheel” gets greased but in that case, shouldn’t she be worried about all those unhealthy trans-fatty acids? In closing, to those who have donated to the Blaine Food Bank I say thank you for your kindness and generosity and I encourage you to keep up the good work.
Adam Williamson
Blaine

Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters should be limited to 10 names. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please send your letter to:
225 Marine Drive, Blaine, WA 98230 or fax 360/332-2777.
E-mail:editor@thenorthernlight.com

Letters Policy

The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com