Leadership at Battle Ground’s longtime emergency-food provider, the North County Community Food Bank, voted during their September board meeting to have Sen. Ann Rivers join their board of directors.

“The food bank is truly an example of neighbors helping neighbors. I have worked with NCCFB for years and it will be an honor to partner with them in this new role,” said Rivers, R-La Center.

When the food bank opened in the early 1980s it served 48 families per month. That number has grown to over 700 local families – more than 9,000 individuals – each month. The majority of those assisted are children; seniors living in poverty make up another 20 percent of the population the food bank serves.

“The entire board is excited to have Ann join us in our mission of helping those in need throughout North Clark County,” said executive director for the food bank, Elizabeth Cerveny.

In addition to providing families and individuals with food, resources and referrals to other social services, NCCFB also offers healthy cooking classes, healthy pantry and recipe tasting and a variety of educational curriculum that can provide individuals living in poverty with means to shop and save on a budget, cook nutritious meals at home for themselves or their families. The NCCFB is located at 17 NE 3rd Ave. in Battle Ground.

“I challenge anyone who hasn’t volunteered at their local food bank, to do so. Not only will you be a blessing to those living in need in your community, I promise you will be blessed as well,” said Rivers.