Council on Aging gets new executive director

From left to right: Colfax Food Pantry volunteers Fern Nafziger, Monica Hardie, Gail McNeilly with grandson Mason, and Sheli Chandler stock shelves at the food bank before distribution begins Feb. 26. Several more volunteers stock shelves and distribute food. The food bank serves more than 800 families throughout the county and supplies are running low.

New Council on Aging Executive Director Paige Collins took over the position nearly three weekes ago and is busy getting to know her staff and volunteers.

Collins headed the Providence Regina House in Seattle for nine years and then worked for Northwest Harvest. She also will head up the CAC nutrition program.

Suzy McNeilly, former head of the program, departed two weeks ago to work with her husband, Dick, on their ranch.

While Collins acknowledged a lot of changes within the Council on Aging, she also said the agency is moving forward.

The transportation program, COAST, is running well for 2015, and Collins said one of her priorities is to get sustainable funding for that program.

Collins said the Colfax Food Pantry needs donations now more than during the holidays.

Collins said people donate well during the holiday season.

“But come March, everybody forgets about donating, but the needs never change,” Collins said.

She said the need during the school year is greater than in the summer.

The greatest need right now is canned chili.

“It’s a great staple and a great protein item,” Collins said.

She also said the food bank could use donations of tuna and canned chicken. There’s also very little produce that is being donated with the exception of potatoes and onions.

The food pantry serves families throughout Whitman County. The numbers are increasing every month with the last count at more than 850 families.

Donations for the Colfax Food Pantry can be brought to the food bank or to the administrative building at 210 S. Main Street in Colfax. Donations also can be made at GoFundMe.com/mzt774.