The University of Idaho Argonaut

Many families and individuals in the Palouse frequently go hungry and Vandal Community Tables has a mission to combat this issue.
“We take surplus food from Bob’s and Sixth Street Marketplace and take the food to the Troy Lutheran Church every Monday,” said Carlynn Schwalm, the intern in charge of the program.

All meals are well balanced and include a protein, salad, two types of vegetables and a carbohydrate, usually rice.
“We feed the elderly as well as the low income individuals and families,” Schwalm said.
“We have had up to 90 people at each gathering and have average numbers in the 80s.”

Also, a new program feeding elderly who can live somewhat independently but not cook for themselves, will be sponsored by Gritman Medical Center between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays starting this Thursday.
Volunteers will be needed. For information, visit the ASUI office.

“We already have a problem in lacking volunteers for our Monday program,” Schwalm said. “We’ll need at least three to four volunteers for each visit to Gritman, as we’ll be serving 30 to 40 people.” 
Along with serving food to people in need came fulfilling advantages.

“I did it at first to volunteer,” said Victor Mazo, “ but it became fun and I got to know some of the people,” said Victor Mazo, who had the internship last year.
“I like the program because it really bridges the student and local community.”
Mazo continues to volunteer at Vandal Community tables.

Schwalm had some preconceptions before beginning as a volunteer last year.
“I will admit I had some reservations as far as the crowd, and maybe them not wanting us there,” Schwalm said. “I was nervous.”
But, she said, the people were thankful and enjoyed sitting down and talking with all the volunteers.

“People actually showed up early to talk to us,” Schwalm said. “We aren’t just donating food. They are including us in their community.”
Last year was Vandal Community Tables’ first year and was then called Campus Kitchens.
Schwalm became interested in the program on the Alternative Service break to Peru and decided to try to get the internship to run the program this year.

“I applied, and I got the internship,” she said. “I love the experience. But, the organization as well as the logistics can be hard at times.”
Along with the elements of managing such a big program, the name had to be changed this year, because the program is not ready to go national. Doing so would mean more planning, more staffing, more funding and writing up reports for every event, but the future of going national is unknown Schwalm said.

If students want to help, Vandal Community Tables meet at the loading docks behind Bob’s at 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, then are back in Moscow by 7:30 p.m.