LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Community Action Agency food cupboard in Lakeport is still giving and accepting donations, though it”s open half as often for the time being.
The cupboard is open from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at 92 B Soda Bay Road in Lakeport, Norma Shepherd, intake referral coordinator, said. Shepherd will be working at another office until the employee there recovers from illness. Once staffing resumes to normal, the cupboard will be open again on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Shepherd thinks many Lake County residents need assistance in order to feed themselves and their families.
“The times we are living in, with Konocti shutting down and now Piedmont, a lot of people lost their jobs for reasons beyond themselves,” Shepherd said. “They didn”t have control over it.”
“A lot of people are really in need,” Shepherd said.
The agency gives out food and clothing from donations. Shepherd said it”s best that people donate non-perishable food items because they have limited refrigerator space.
Shepherd also gives referrals to other resources. She said she looks up job openings and posts them on a corkboard in the lobby of the cupboard.
People seeking assistance should call any charitable agency first before stopping by, Shepherd said, because sometimes the office is closed.
Shepherd said she works with people on an individual basis to help them get food as everyone”s circumstances are different. Access to the food pantry is based on emergency and need. Picture identification for everyone older than 18 and some form of identification for those younger than 18 is required to receive help.
The cupboard serves the Lakeport side of Clear Lake. The Lakeport cupboard is across from Guy Strohmeier”s Auto Center on Soda Bay Road behind Deschamps Automotive.
Shepherd has a list of food programs people can contact to see if they qualify. A list is also available on the county Web site at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Residents/Disclaimer/ResourceDirectory/Food_Programs.htm. Shepherd recommends people also get in touch with local churches.
“If they can”t help they might know somebody who can,” she said.
People can call the Lake County Community Action Agency food cupboard at 263-3760 during open hours.
“Luckily, the agency here does help a lot of people, and they”re grateful,” she said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
