Nordine honored for food bank work

A couple months after she and her husband John, moved here in 2010, Carol Nordine had found the local food bank.

She's been volunteering at the Care and Share Food Bank ever since, the last seven years as its manager.

Just in time to see a growing need.

A roomful of volunteers and friends gathered at La Presa Saturday to honor that service, eat, and enjoy each other's company.

Shawn Neider also volunteers at the food bank, as well as pastoring the Zion Lutheran Church. He recalled the growth going from serving 30-40 families to about 100 more these days.

Neider is also a computer guy. Nordine needed one of those, because she doesn't do that, but those skills are a necessity for keeping records and filling out forms. Nora Jenn is also involved with the enterprise in that way. And many volunteers show up to help with food deliveries as it comes in and needs to be stocked in shelves, then later when it goes out to those who need it.

"Thank you all for for all you've done to support Carol," Neider said. "I mean, without you guys, it would just be the same three people handing out food."

Neider noted the teamwork that goes into the effort.

"Everybody's contributing good ideas to help make things move better and to provide good food," he said. "I would really be happy if we didn't need a food bank, and if everybody in town had all that they needed for work and food. ... But Jesus said, 'The poor you will always have with you' and you can always do something good for them."

Since stepping down and handing the operation over to Dave Noggles, Nordine now hasn't been at the food bank since December, she said.

But she recalled growing steps for the local institution that is housed in the lower part of the Church of the Nazarene: adding shelving, adding volunteers (American Legion members stepped up), adjusting to Covid with service outside, adjusting back, and more.

Now, she said, "Dave's going to do you guys a good job. He's going to lead you in the right direction."