The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – Beginning in February the Waitsburg Resource Center will no longer be open on Saturdays. The center, which provides food and resources for residents in Waitsburg and Prescott school districts, is open from 2-4 each Thursday.

The decision was made because very few people come in on Saturdays. If demand warrants, the center will look at extending Thursday hours.

The resource center provides many resources to the community, in addition to providing food to those in need.

In 2017, the center provided 80 winter break lunches, serving over 100 children. They also offered activities before lunch.

Twenty-five children are currently taking advantage of the “backpack program” which sends food home for the weekend.

At Christmas, the center sponsored a town-wide visit from Santa, who traveled by fire engine to distribute stockings. Santa was assisted by fire department and resource center volunteers. Many children eagerly awaited Santa’s arrival outside their homes.

The center has also sponsored mobile dental van visits, spring break lunches, summer reading program snacks, provided free bicycle helmets and backpacks and more.

The Waitsburg Resource Center is volunteer-operated. The center receives food from the Federal Food Assistance Program through Blue Mountain Action Counsel, local food drives and generous donations from local businesses, organizations, school clubs and individuals.

Financial and food donations are always welcome and may be delivered during regular center hours.

Anyone in need of food that can not make it to the center between 2-4 p.m. on Thursdays may contact Pastor Matt Wyatt at (916) 622-9932.