Church to hold annual food donation event June 11

The ninth annual Impact Camas-Washougal event, organized by St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Washougal, will take place on Sunday, June 11, at Parker’s Landing Historical Park at the Port of Camas-Washougal.

Volunteers will fill food boxes and collect donations to assist local families in need during the event, which will feature free barbecue lunch and an outdoor concert by the Camas-Washougal Community Orchestra.

“Although many people are conditioned to make food donations around the holidays, there is another critical need at this time of year,” Impact Camas-Washougal committee member and St. Matthew Lutheran Church office secretary Beth Raetz said in a news release. “We are targeting families in the schools who receive free breakfast and free lunches and are a part of the backpack programs. When school stops for summer, those meals end. These kids may get into a summer meal program, but there could be several weeks before they start. These meals help to bridge that gap.”

The food boxes will be filled with pre-selected and pre-purchased food, according to the news release.

“Any donations of non-perishable food that comes in at the event will be donated to stock the local Treasure House food pantry,” Raetz said. “Specifically, they have a need for high protein items such as peanut butter, tuna and chili items. This year we are continuing to invite groups to get involved and help out. We have community organizations, like the Lions Club, scout troops, church groups, businesses and families volunteering. It is so wonderful to see families with children of all ages helping to fill up boxes.”

For residents who are unable to attend the event but want to help, they can donate by visiting gofundme.com/f/impact-camaswashougal-2023; mailing a check made out to St. Matthew Lutheran Church to 716 Washougal River Road, Washougal, WA, 98671; or dropping off a check at the church, open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.