ELF food drive brings help to families

Sheila Neuwerth was at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church Wednesday night, waiting for things to liven up.

Havre firefighters were going door to door throughout the city's east side, picking up donations of food for the Havre Food Bank.Volunteers were accompanying them, and other volunteers were showing up at the church to help unload, sort and transport the food to the food bank building in North Havre. From there, it would go to families throughout the area who would go hungry without the food bank's help.

Any minute now, the action would begin.

Sheila stopped to reflect on just why she would be spending her Wednesday night volunteering for the cause.

She's a Sunday school teacher, and she always tells her young students that they should do what Jesus wants them to do, she said.

Day two of the Everybody Loves Firefighters food drive will be held tonight.

Havre firefighters will to through the streets west of 5th Avenue to pick up food donated by city residents.

• If you want to make a donation, have food ready when you see firefighters come in your neighborhood. You will be able to tell if they are near by the lights flashing and the sirens blaring.

• If you would like to help firefighters make the collections, show up at the fire department at 5:30 p.m.

• If you can help the department sort and pack the food, stop by Van Orsdel United Methodist Church at 6 p.m.

"He wants us to help other people," she said. "Well, that's what we do here."

Her students were with her, waiting to pitch in.

"They are the crazy ones running all around," she said, laughing.

She said everyone may need the food bank services someday.

"I had to use them once," she said."I know how valuable they are.

"The food bank is a blessing to all of us. You never know when you might need the food bank."

Others joined in the effort - young, old, retired and students.

Tables were set up for the sorting process. One table for spaghetti, one box for granola bars and so forth.

Each of the volunteers do so for their own reasons.

Whitney Bahrns and Courtney Cota are involved in the Community Involvement Association, a group of Montana State University-Northern students who work with Havre community groups.

For instance, they are working on a program for a Halloween party for community youngsters. And they are looking for new ideas and new members.

"We just want to do something for the community," said Bahrns.  

Helping out at the food bank seemed like the right thing to do.

Marysue Davis has just returned to Havre after spending time in Malta caring for a sick relative.

For her, it was a matter of reconnecting. She used to volunteer at the food bank, though she had never performed duties at the church.

"I just want to help out," she said.

Young Daltyn Schmidt comes to church every Wednesday and Sunday, he said. This Wednesday was especially interesting, he said. He wanted to help other people.

This Wednesday, he said, the church was serving snacks to the workers.

"I've already had two good cookies," he said.