Feeding the needy

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for all we have and Kim Canete, executive director of The Storehouse in Custer, is thankful for the community for a number of reasons.

“The community really comes forward and helps with donations,” Canete said. “There’s always a need, not just at the holidays, but the community really steps up at the holidays.”

Many local businesses work with the Storehouse for a few events, including summer sack lunches, backpack food program, Realtor for Kids and One Warm Coat. 

“We don’t restrict families or people who come here so we always need help with donations,” Canete said. “Continued support is really important.”

The Storehouse sees over 70 families a week, which has doubled over the past five years. Funds for the Storehouse, either money or food, come largely from local people, but also from grants and private donors. The Custer community often hosts food drives, with proceeds going to the Storehouse.

“The big three every year are the Stuff a Truck, which the school kids put on, the Boy Scouts and the postal workers in the spring,” Canete said. “But many churches and organizations host food drives throughout the year. We survive by the passion and support from the community.”

Recently, Canete has been using her 14 years experience at Custer Food Panty and The Storehouse to create new programs in the Custer community. Canete serves on the Hunger Round Table (HRT), which has recently created — and in once case, restarted — three programs centered on bringing the community together through food.

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