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| Helping out with a smile |
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| Written by Jonathan Partridge / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Wednesday, 19 December 2007 | |
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Cheery volunteers hand out food baskets to help fellow residents Boy Scouts loaded cars with boxes while other volunteers filled those boxes with food Saturday, as a line of Christmas basket recipients snaked out of Patterson’s Masonic Hall.  Volunteers James Dunfee (left) and Wes Carr unpack egg cartons Saturday during the Christmas food basket distribution. Photo by Jonathan Partridge / Patterson Irrigator Whether because of the slumped housing market, high gas prices, harvest troubles or simply city growth, a lot more people turned out for food baskets than in the past, turning the Masonic Hall into a hive of activity. Local food bank Westside Food Pantry and area volunteers helped out 294 families with the Christmas baskets, about 100 more families than last year. “It’s just a hard time for everyone,” said Olga Holcombe, president of the local food pantry. Still, the atmosphere was hardly somber Saturday, with smiles stretched wide across the faces of volunteers and recipients alike. “I think it’s great what they’re doing,” said food basket recipient Jessica Boldman, who recently moved to Patterson from Salem, Ore. “We’re just getting on our feet here,” she added. “This is going to help out a lot.” Many other recipients also expressed thanks, Holcombe said, and one person already sent a Christmas card with thanks. Meanwhile, the volunteers seemed to enjoy themselves. Cub Scout leader Becky Long and her son, Timothy, manned a table of children’s books. Westside Food Pantry received the books through a United Way grant. Winter garments and plastic toy dragons also were handed out to youngsters in and around the hall. “I think I have the most fun job here,” Long said with a smile. She said this is the first year she has been involved in the Christmas basket effort. Meanwhile, volunteer Juan Rebolloso, who has helped out with the food distribution in the past, said this year’s food basket distribution day was more difficult with the increased demand. The local economy might have affected not only the number of recipients but also the amount of giving. One food pantry volunteer, who did not wish to give her name, said the amount of giving has not been as high this year as in years past. Still, there were enough boxes for everyone. “Somehow, this all works out,” the volunteer said. In addition to the needs for holiday baskets, the food pantry continues to have everyday needs. Holcombe said the cabinets in the pantry are bare, and the pantry always could use more volunteers and more nonperishable food items. The pantry, 20 S. Fifth St., operates from 1 to 3:30 p.m. each Thursday. A few local residents already have taken strides to improve the situation. San Jose-based Del Monaco Specialty Foods donated 250 pounds of potatoes to the food pantry after plant manager and Patterson resident Vince Burress noticed an article about the pantry’s needs in the newspaper. Buress said he hopes other companies also help with the local needs. Those who do get involved say the experience is rewarding. Dennis McCord said the food distribution day is a good experience for his son, Davey McCord, and other Scouts involved. “It helps teach them that there are needs out there,” McCord said. To reach Jonathan Partridge at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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