Support from Avista is making it possible for a rural Washington town’s food pantry to make energy efficiency upgrades, ensuring a reliable supply of fresh produce and essential items for those in need.
In March 2019, the Springdale Food Pantry fed its first family. The Springdale Community Boosters started the pantry. It quickly became a lifeline for the area.
“We saw people needed help, so we wanted to be there for them,” said Lori Newell, Springdale Community Boosters president and pantry manager.
They helped somewhere between 13 and 15 families their first month. The volunteer-operated pantry was running on hope and a few rickety freezers and refrigerators, including one rescued off the roadside.
What the pantry lacked in resources; they made up for in heart.
“We believe everyone is important and special, and that’s how we treat people when they come to the pantry,” Lori said.
Since opening, the Springdale Food Pantry has grown to serve as many as 238 people per month. That’s especially impressive for a town with just under 300 people.
“It takes a village and we’re that village,” said Sue Uttech, Springdale Boosters treasurer and pantry lead volunteer. “We help with any needs. If we can’t help, we’ll find someone who can.”
Beyond distribution day, volunteers are always working to answer calls for help.
“We’ll open any time if someone has an urgent need for food,” Sue said.
They regularly partner with the local school, providing food and other essentials, like deodorant and soap, thanks to support from Project Beauty Share.
But volunteers have worked through tough conditions in their old building. Without good insulation or a reliable heating/cooling system, hot summers and cold winters have been hard.
“We could see our breath when we were inside working during the winter,” said Krista Wilson, a volunteer and booster board member. “And it was nearly impossible to keep produce fresh long enough to give it out.”
That’s changing thanks to help from Avista.
In 2024, the pantry received support through Avista’s Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF)* and Avista’s energy efficiency rebate programs.
They also qualified for Avista’s Small Business Partner Program. A licensed contractor worked with them to learn about their energy-saving potential, identify available Avista rebates and services, provide a project bid, and install the upgrades.
By the end of the project, the pantry had improved insulation, added energy efficient LEDs with light sensors, and installed two new energy efficient A/C and heating units.
Avista’s programs covered the entire cost of the project.
“Avista’s help has been beyond a blessing. We are so grateful, and it makes such a big difference,” Sue said.
Not only will the pantry save on their energy bill thanks to energy efficiency upgrades, but having a climate-controlled area means they can keep produce fresh longer.
“It is so nice to be able to give out wonderful, fresh fruits and vegetables to our families,” said Laurie Franks, pantry volunteer.
With improved facilities, the nonprofit is hopeful for the future and many more years of providing for the community.
“We love what we’re doing, and we’re here for anybody that needs it,” said Sue. “It’s okay to ask for help.”
The Springdale Food Pantry’s drive-through pickup happens on the third Wednesday of each month from 3-5 p.m. in Springdale, behind the town hall.
*Avista's Named Communities Investment Fund (NCIF) was approved by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission as part of the company's Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP) to meet compliance targets for the state's Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA, 2019). The NCIF will invest up to $5 million annually in projects, programs, and initiatives that benefit Avista's Washington electric customers residing in historically disadvantaged and vulnerable communities (i.e., "Named Communities"). Community-based projects will be selected for funding through a competitive grant application process. Application information and eligibility guidelines can be found at myavista.com/NCIF.