warehouse boxes are in the filling process for Dec. 18 pick-ups and deliveries.
By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com
WALDPORT — The name isn’t snappy.
The location is off the beaten path.
And it takes some explaining to understand the whys and wherefores of which group does what, when and how.
For all that, South Lincoln Resources keeps plugging away at its never-ending mission — to aid people in need who live from Seal Rock through Waldport and Yachats to Tenmile Creek and east to Five Rivers — by providing food, clothing, furniture, medical supplies, and emergency vouchers.
It’s a year-round effort, but an especially big one during the holidays.
The nonprofit’s two warehouse-sized buildings are at 3710 Crestline Drive in upper Waldport. While its sign proclaims “South Lincoln Resources, Waldport Food Share, Adventist Clothing Share” that doesn’t disclose the scope of all the giving that goes on in the big gray and blue structures that sit on almost one acre. Neither does the organization’s motto: “Neighbor helping neighbor.”
All volunteer, altogether invaluable
South Lincoln Resources is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation that’s been around since 1983. It was created to not only provide service programs for low-income residents, but also to coordinate the work of other service groups in south Lincoln County.
And in the view of those in positions to know, it does a superb job.
“Without them, I don’t know what so many people would do. They’re such a giving group, helping people with utility bills, clothing, food — just non-stop helping the people in our community,” says Waldport Mayor Greg Holland. “They’re such a gift to our community.”
“SLR at least doubles the effect of what we could do by ourselves,” says Pastor Bob Barrett of Yachats Community Presbyterian Church, known for its outreach work to those in need. “They’re invaluable.”
South Lincoln Resources runs four programs to:
- Supply furniture and appliances;
- Provide medical equipment;
- Collect and distribute holiday food baskets; and
- Coordinate voucher assistance.
And, it operates an ongoing fundraiser to pay for the facility itself through its thrift store, The Unexpected Elephant. It also works directly with three partner services: Waldport Food Share, Adventist Clothing Share, and the South County Children’s Christmas Program
There is no paid staff for any of these programs and services. Volunteers run the show and operate the programs, from its board of directors on down.
That’s why, whether you’re calling the main phone number (541-563-3710) to donate furniture or food, looking to volunteer, or looking for help, you’ll get a recording. There simply isn’t anyone who can babysit the phone. But as its website stresses “We will call back!”
coordinates the baskets program; Rick is president of the organization’s board.
Volunteers advise people to call ahead, especially during the holidays when some services are closed to allow warehouse space for the holiday baskets program.
“The thing that surprises people is this — if someone comes in asking for a bed, we give them a bed. There is no cost,” says board president Rick Booth. “Somebody moves, they give us a bed, and we re-allocate it to someone who needs a bed. Neighbors helping neighbors.”
Much of the work is simple, but it’s not easy.
“We do keep lists,” says Booth. “If we have someone who comes in too many times, say for furniture, we let them know. We’re always looking for volunteers and donations.”
So varied are the ways that the organization helps its south county residents that Booth doesn’t know offhand exactly how many volunteers it has. He does know that his wife, Sue, (they’re both Navy veterans and met in high school) has about 25 people helping produce holiday food baskets. Booth has about 20 drivers to distribute the results.
The baskets are assembled and funded all year and distributed at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Dec. 18 is the target date for this year’s baskets, and Booth expects that almost 200 families —about 600 people — will get one.
Sharing food, medical equipment, vouchers
The Waldport Food Share program is distinct from the one for holiday baskets. It’s a free pantry for qualified, low-income residents of south Lincoln County, who must show a rent receipt or similar to prove a local residence. An average of 245 families are served each month, with over 200,000 pounds of food distributed annually.
“We used to distribute Food Share groceries once a month; now it’s more frequent because of COVID,” Booth said.
Waldport Food Share is open 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; its phone number is 541-2770-7869.
South Lincoln Resources welcomes tax-deductible cash donations at any time of year to help fund outreaches like the holiday baskets, which Booth estimates to cost about $15,000. And it also seeks donations of furniture, appliances, durable medical equipment (crutches, wheelchairs, etc.), and, for The Unexpected Elephant, housewares (“anything you’d find at a yard sale,” says Booth).
The furniture and medical equipment programs, along with Adventist Clothing Store, are closed through Jan. 3 to give warehouse space for the holiday baskets. A community service of the Waldport Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the clothing store welcomes clothes, bedding and towels. It has served Waldport and surrounding areas for more than 60 years.
The South County Children’s Christmas Program provides gifts for children who might not otherwise have a holiday. Applications are processed through Washington Federal bank in Waldport.
Another way that South Lincoln Resources manifests its “neighbor helping neighbor” mission is through its voucher program. It distributes vouchers to local church pastors that help pay for emergency meals, overnight lodging and gasoline for people in need. When specified, donated funds are used only for vouchers.
Booth started volunteering at South Lincoln Resources in 2007 (“when I was a young, 53-year-old guy …”), and has served as board president for three years. He is also a Waldport City Council member and chaplain for fire districts in Yachats, Waldport and Seal Rock, and for the Lincoln County sheriff’s office, Oregon State Police and Pacific West Ambulance.
He understands how some people may be unclear on how all the groups inter-connect. The important thing, he says, is that they do work together to help people in need for whatever reason.
At the core: volunteers
That year-round help is made possible by volunteers who peel onions, slice cheese, sort and distribute clothing, haul furniture, give away canes and wheelchairs, assemble food baskets, shop for children’s holiday gifts, and … the list indeed goes on and on.
Some of the work is physical. Robby White volunteers in the furniture program and is one of the younger volunteers. He joined up some 18 months ago because “I was up here watching old men try to load a washing machine into a van. Every town should have a program like this.”
Some of the work gives an emotional boost.
Shari Ball, director of The Unexpected Elephant thrift shop, says “It’s like Christmas when we unpack contributions” from donors.
And much of the work warms the hearts of those who give their time and energy.
“If you want to support your neighbors, come here,” said Sue Booth, who coordinates the holiday baskets program. “If you don’t go home with a full heart, you’re broken.”
In January, Booth will step down as president and the board will elect his replacement. But Booth will continue to help as the organization’s voucher program coordinator, and support for the holiday food baskets.
Why does he keep contributing?
“I grew up a recipient of lots of the things that SLR does,” he says. One of seven children, he remembers standing in lines for food, and for donated Christmas gifts.
“I don’t want anyone to go hungry, to not have a cane if they need one, to not have Christmas.”
- Cheryl Romano is a Yachats freelance reporter who contributes regularly to YachatsNews.com. She can be reached at Wordsell@gmail.com