Editor’s note: We’re excited to announce our new fellow and partnership with The Newport Miner newspaper as part of the Murrow News Fellowship at Washington State University. Sophia Mattice-Aldous is covering rural issues, meaning she will be focusing primarily on Stevens, Ferry, Pend Oreille and outer Spokane County in her work.
While kindness is a sentiment that should never be seasonal, it especially comes to the forefront in the winter season. And while the city of Spokane generally has a higher concentration of resources, rural areas don't have the same access. But there are still opportunities to ensure our community members are cared for throughout the holidays on both sides of the state line and throughout the Tri County (Stevens, Ferry and Pend Oreille) area. With that in mind, below is a list of services and resources to help those in need.
If you aren't in need, think of this as a list of places you can donate your resources, time or money.
If we’ve missed an organization you think should be on here, contact us sophia@rangemedia.co and we will update the list.
Pend Oreille County
Free Coats
There are free coats for adults and children at Mellany’s Bakery, Café and Soup Kitchen, located at 412 River Rd., Usk. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm. No appointment or documentation is necessary. For more information, call 509-445-1412.
Newport Food Bank
The Newport Food Bank provides produce, non-perishables and toiletries to people mostly living in the 99156 zip code. Hours are Tuesdays, 10 am to 2 pm. The food bank is located at 310 ½ W. Pine St., Newport. For more information, call 509-447-1168.
Cusick Food Pantry
The Cusick Food Pantry provides non-perishable food items, fresh protein and produce to residents in the 99119, 99180 and part of the 99156 zip code areas. Hours are Tuesdays, 9 to 10:30 am It’s located at 402 Riverside Rd. in the basement of the Pend Oreille Bible Church. For more information, call 509-939-2349 or 509-939-3227.
Emergency Food Pantry of Ione
The Food Pantry serves Ione as well as other outlying areas such as Metaline and Metaline Falls, functioning out of an 8 foot by 25 foot railroad car beside the Catholic Church. It also operates a backpack program that sends extra food home with children over the weekends. Hours are Thursdays, 10 to 11 am. It’s located at 302 N. 8th St., Ione. For more information, call 509-675-3307.
Tree of Angels
The Annual Tree of Angels Christmas Gift Drive is going on now through December 10. Members of the community are invited to help provide presents to eligible homeless students and their siblings. Tags that need to be filled will be available on Christmas trees located at Selkirk Ace Hardware; Super1Foods; Mountain West Bank Newport Branch; Newport’s Post Office; Owen’s Grocery, Deli & Soda Fountain and Kelly’s Bar & Grill.
Tags and un-wrapped presents need to be delivered to Mountain West Bank at 330 N. Washington Ave., Newport before Wednesday, December 11. Contact the YES (Youth Emergency Services) of Pend Oreille County office for more information at 509-447-1125 or email info@yesteensupport.com.
Stevens County
Hope Street Project
The Hope Street Project is a non-profit that aims to build affordable housing for homeless people in Colville, the county seat of Stevens County with a population of 5,000 people. It’s located at 528 S. Wynne St., Colville.
For more information, call 509-690-8111.
Stevens County Emergency Shelter
The Stevens County Emergency Shelter is a 4-unit facility consisting of 12 beds and one fully ADA accessible unit. The primary objective of the shelter is to assist clients in becoming stable in housing. The shelter serves women with children and female domestic violence victims above all other situations, but can also serve general homeless females, provided space is available.
For more information, call 509-684-8421, ext. 6047.
Darren Thompson Community Warming Center
The warming center is a volunteer facility open in the winter months to help shelter people. It offers food, showers, laundry facilities, TV, and a warm, safe place to stay, no matter what the circumstances. It’s located at 103 E. 6th Ave. Colville.
For more information, call 509-684-8480.
Volunteer Food and Resource Center
The center provides hunger relief through food assistance, nutrition education and educating the community about issues of hunger in the area. Located at 210 S. Wynne St., Colville. For more information, call 509-684-2971.
Seventh-day Adventists
The Colville Seventh-day Adventists Church offers a free clothing closet and hot lunch most Tuesdays. The clothing closet is open from 10 am to 1 pm and lunch is at 11:30 am. The church is located at 138 E. Cedar Loop, Colville. For more information, call 509-685-1973.
Momentum Church
The Momentum Church Assembly of God’s Sharing House is open every Tuesday from 9:30 am to noon. The ministry provides clothing and other various necessities to those in need, free of charge. Access is from the alley just east of the main church building located at 516 E. Glen Ave., Colville. For more information, call 509-684-4721.
Kettle Falls Community Chest
The community chest serves more than 250 families a month with donations of food. Sales from the thrift store support food bank operations. It also serves the communities of Daisy, Evans, Rice, Marcus and Barstow. Hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 10 am to 2 pm. It’s located at 472 Meyer St., Kettle Falls.
For more information, call 509-738-2326.
Ferry County
Rise Network Inc.
Rise Network provides coats, hats and gloves to children in the Ferry County area and beyond during the winter season. The non-profit also helps provide supplemental food items to families and individuals in need, including senior citizens.
For more information, call 509-675-0002 or go to www.risenetworkinc.org/contact.
People’s Pantry of Ferry County
The People’s Pantry is a food bank that provides, “nutritious food to individuals and families that otherwise would not be able to afford it and help them move towards self-sustainability by referring to other agencies for further help.” Food distribution is Sundays from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at 925 S. Keller St., Republic.
Curlew Community Food Pantry
The Food Pantry serves the community of Curlew and is open the first and third Thursdays of every month, 9:30 to 11 am. It’s located at 10 S. Main St., Curlew. For more information, call 509-207-0548 or 509-846-3138.
Greater Spokane County
Cheney Cupboard food bank
The Cheney Cupboard food bank distributes food to local residents in need. It’s open Mondays, 4 to 6 pm and Wednesdays, 9 to 11:30 am at 624 3rd Street, Cheney.
Greenhouse Food & Clothing Bank
Greenhouse offers a food bank where residents of Deer Park and Clayton can shop for non-perishable food once per month as well as bread and produce weekly. They also distribute donated clothing, shoes, blankets, coats and household items monthly. On November 26 from 1 to 5 pm, they will also be distributing turkey boxes. They are located at 125 N Pk Ave, Deer Park. Find their regular hours here.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Food Bank - East Central
The MLK Community Center in East Central has a food bank on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 3 pm at 500 S Stone St. Spokane. Find more information here.
North County Food Pantry
The North County Food Pantry offers groceries, clothing, household items and hygiene supplies to residents in Elk. They operate Mondays from 10 am to 2 pm and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 12 pm at 40015 N. Collins Rd. in Elk. Find more information here.
See more food banks in Spokane County here.
Bonner County
Bonner Community Food Bank: Priest River
The food bank is a food resource for low-income families, disabled individuals, children and senior citizens in times of emergency. All resources at the food bank are free. Hours are Tuesdays, 12 to 5:30 pm, and Thursdays, 10 am to 2 pm located at 45 S. McKinley St. Suite 107, Priest River.
For more information, call 208-448-4989.
Priest River Animal Rescue
PRAR provides free pet food to low-income pet owners from supplies donated by local merchants and citizens. Food is available in the rescue’s food bank bin located outside the front door at 5538 Hwy. 2, Priest River. No appointment or documentation is necessary. For more information, call 208-448-0699.
Priest River Ministries Advocates for Women
The ministries provides shelter, advocacy, guidance and support for women and children of domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking. It also provides clothing and supplies to families in crisis in the community. It’s located at 6501 Hwy. 2, Priest River, and also has outreach offices in Spirit Lake and Sandpoint.
For more information, call the main office at 208-448-2800.
Priest River Community Church
The church serves as a warming center when winter temperatures fall below freezing. It’s located at 49 Washington St., Priest River.
For more information, call 208-448-2115.
Sophia Mattice-Aldous is a Murrow News Fellow working directly with newsrooms at RANGE Media and The Newport Miner Newspapers through a program administered by Washington State University. Her reporting is available for use via Creative Commons with credit.
