Kiwanis Volunteers Help Feed Over 400 Families at April Mobile Market

On April 14, volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene joined forces with team members from Wells Fargo and the Community United Methodist Church’s United Women of Faith to host a food distribution event through the Second Harvest Mobile Market. Second Harvest Inland Northwest works to provide nutritious food to those in need across our region, and we were proud to play a role in that mission.

Ten Kiwanis volunteers along with 30 other volunteers helped repackage and distribute more than 79,000 pounds of food to families in need as vehicles made their way through a well-organized drive-through route in the church parking lot. Our “stretch goal” was to serve 350 families—but by the end of the day, we had reached 403 households, exceeding expectations and making an even greater impact in the community.

The need was clear from the start. Cars began lining up as early as 7:00 a.m., well ahead of the scheduled 11:00 a.m. opening. In response, we began distributing food at 10:30, and for the next two and a half hours, the flow of vehicles never slowed. It was hard work, but the team quickly found a rhythm, and the time flew by as we worked together to serve our neighbors.

“Volunteers make events like this possible,” said Todd Kennedy, Second Harvest’s Mobile Market lead. “And this group not only lends their hands, they do it with a big heart, helping get food to hungry neighbors.”

Events like this are both humbling and rewarding. Seeing the gratitude from those we serve—and the teamwork among volunteers—reminds us why we do what we do. Our club participates in several of these distributions each year, and each one reinforces our commitment to making a meaningful difference in our community. We are looking forward to the next event scheduled for July 15.

Photograph: (left to right) Club members Peter Matousek, Shirley Lindberg, Don Lindberg, Linda Mayers