Melanie Allen, director of the Greenhouse, was the guest speaker at the August 30th meeting of the Deer Park Rotary Club.
Melanie began by thanking the club for the recent $500 donation, and said the timing of the gift was perfect as there are no grants available in the summer, but the need is still great. She told us that The Greenhouse Community Center has grown from its first beginnings as a small food bank and clothes closet at Zion Lutheran Church in 1987 to a place that provides a food bank, clothing bank, emergency services, furniture, household and miscellaneous items for people in the Deer Park area.
The only qualification to receive food from the food bank is to be a resident of Deer Park. Each month, eligible residents are able to select food from the pantry’s shelves and fresh produce once a week that has been “rescued” from five local grocery stores in north Spokane County by Greenhouse volunteers. Between the monthly and weekly visits, the Greenhouse serves approximately 250 families with 1200 visits per month.
The Greenhouse is supported by County Block Grants, Second Harvest, thrift store purchases, and donations from churches and organizations. When asked, “When do you need volunteers?” Melanie replied they’re always happy to have volunteers and they’ll find something for you to do.
