Community invited to donate, volunteer for IMPACT CWUpdated 47 mins ago

The gathering will include food box assembly, food donation collection, a free barbecue lunch and a live outdoor performance by the Camas-Washougal Community Orchestra.

“Summer is one of the most challenging times for families facing food insecurity,” IMPACT CW committee member Beth Raetz said in a news release. “When school is out, so are reliable meals. These food boxes funded through local donations make a real difference for families trying to get through those first critical weeks of summer.”

Now in its 12th year, IMPACT CW, led by volunteers from St. Matthew Lutheran Church and community partners, aims to provide approximately 200 food boxes, each filled with nutritious staples and a grocery gift card, to local families in need. To meet that goal, organizers are working to raise roughly $24,000.

Pre-event donations can be made by check to St. Matthew Lutheran Church (716 Washougal River Road, Washougal, WA 98671; 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday) or online at impactcamaswashougal.org. Nonperishable food donations collected at the event will support the Inter-Faith Treasure House food pantry, with a particular need for high-protein items such as peanut butter, canned tuna and chili.

Local schools are currently identifying families who would benefit from assistance. Those in need who are not already enrolled in school-based programs are encouraged to contact a school counselor or principal.

For more information, to donate, or to volunteer, contact Raetz at 360-835-5533, email [email protected] or visit impactcamaswashougal.org.

Parkersville Heritage Fair returns July 31

The Parkersville Advisory Committee, in partnership with the Port of Camas-Washougal, will hold the Parkersville Heritage Fair from 4 to 6 p.m. July 31 at Parker’s Landing Historical Park.

The event’s theme, “Shared Roots & Legacy,” serves as a local centerpiece for the nationwide America 250 celebration.

“We are more than just a park; we are a living history book for our community,” Vicki Van Vleet Roholt, PAC volunteer coordinator and a descendant of the Van Vleet family, said in a news release. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, it is vital that we connect our local story to the larger American journey by honoring the diverse partners and families who have shaped our shared heritage.”

The fair will feature a “Van Vleet detective quest” centered in the park’s historic apple orchard, where attendees can solve a “living history” mystery while visiting interactive stations hosted by community partners throughout the park; a pop-up heritage shop; live entertainment; and a flag ceremony.

For more information, visit the Parkersville National Historic Site Facebook page or the Port of Camas-Washougal event page.

— Doug Flanagan