The Food Bank Corner

Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 2, 2026

By Rev. Warren Johnson

Board President

Things are changing at the Forks Community Food Bank, and none of these improvements would be possible without our incredible volunteers and WorkFirst participants. Every day they give their time and energy to make sure our food bank runs smoothly and that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcomed, respected, and cared for.

There is far more to operating a food bank than simply stocking shelves. Volunteers keep our market organized, put inventory in its proper place, assist customers, and answer questions to ensure everyone receives the right amount of food for their household. Behind the scenes, they are constantly trimming and rehydrating fresh produce, bagging tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers, repackaging drinks into family-sized portions, and sweeping, mopping, and cleaning. Yes—cleaning happens every single day, all day long. The photos you see here of our market reflect countless hours of work before the doors even open.

Beyond the market itself, there is even more happening. We coordinate the Farm-to-Table produce program for senior citizens, track donations, prepare day-old bread for pickup, record every item that comes in and goes out, place food orders, and separate donated goods from purchased inventory. It is a major undertaking, and it is all made possible by volunteers.

We currently have 32 volunteers on our roster, and we could always use more. Our volunteers have families, jobs, and commitments of their own, so coordinating schedules is a full-time job in itself.

I also want to give a special shout-out to our Executive Director, Pat Soderlind, who puts in countless hours both behind the scenes and at the front desk. Pat works tirelessly to coordinate volunteers, communicate with other food banks, manage grants and special programs, and ensure we have the food and resources needed to serve our community. She has spent years helping procure nutritious food for those in need, bridging the gap for families and individuals facing food insecurity.

Behind every successful organization is someone doing the work few people ever see, and that certainly describes Pat. Along with her husband, Mark, she has devoted countless hours to keeping the Forks Community Food Bank on solid footing. Their dedication has helped make our food bank the successful and dependable resource it is today.

On behalf of our board and our community, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Pat and Mark for everything they have done. The next time you see Pat Soderlind, please take a moment to thank her. Her commitment, compassion, and hard work have made a lasting difference in the lives of so many people in our community.