| Food
Bank volunteer is leaving
Zara Hasselstrom, food bank chairman, and her husband, Randy are going to be leaving the area and relocating to Washington. Zara has been a member of the St. Mary’s Hospital Mission Committee/Community Fund Committee since 2005 and the chairman for the hospital sponsored food bank since 2007. The food bank began back in 2002 and it basically started as a “food closet”. Over the years it has developed into a full-fledged food bank; due largely in part to Zara’s dedication and hard work. Zara spends hours and hours purchasing items for the food bank, organizing food drives, stocking shelves, clearing shelves of expired food and distributing food. She developed a policy on distribution of food to make sure families were receiving all the required food necessary for a healthy diet plus also making sure the food bank was not being taken advantage of by families who did not qualify for assistance. Donna Quick has generously volunteered to be the interim food bank coordinator until a permanent volunteer coordinator(s) can be found. Those needing assistance from the food bank can call SMH at 962-3251 and leave a message. At this point the food bank will be run on an ‘on-call’ basis. “We are looking for a person, couple or team of people who would like to take this task over,” stated Sr. Barbara Bielenberg, Mission Director for SMH. “Our goal is to have set, regular hours that the food bank is open. If you are interested in volunteering for the food bank please contact me or Donna Quick at 962-3251.” “As a member of the Mission Committee I would like to thank Zara for everything she has done for the Mission Committee over the years and especially for what she has done for the food bank,” commented Cheri Holthaus, Community Relations Coordinator. “She is going to be truly missed, but we all wish her and Randy the best of luck.” Zara was named as a finalist for the 2014 Love Award (Leader of Volunteer Excellence), which is an award presented by the Idaho Hospital Association. 
Longtime St. Mary’s Hospital Food Bank volunteer Zara Hasselstrom is moving to Washington. Photo by Cheri Holthaus. |
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