On Sale Now! Good Cheer 50th Anniversary Cook Book

Nov 292011
 
 November 29, 2011  Posted by Mark Clawson 2 Responses »

Just in time for holiday gift giving; Good Cheer’s beautifully illustrated 50th Anniversary Cookbook has arrived. The $19.95 cookbook is available at all Good Cheer Stores and some local re­tailers. Proceeds help the Food Bank, so when you purchase it as a gift, you are giving a gift that gives twice! For an additional $3 we will even mail it for you in early December to an address within the U.S.

The Good Cheer Cookbook is a unique collection of recipes. You’ll find recipes  from the original 1960s Good Cheer cookbook, as well as, new ones from our garden volunteers. The cookbook has a soft cover and is 168 pages.

Local foods such as clams, crab and salmon are featured in the ‘old recipes’ section complete with the originators’ handwritten recipes. The original cookbook was entitled ‘Whidbey Island Recipe Specialties’ and was created as a fundraiser to support Good Cheer’s fledgling food bank.

The crab dip recipe from Mrs. Barney Hein  (excerpt) – Sam Hein ran a hardware store on 1st before working at the city hall and People’s Bank. Built the Langley Marina, was an avid beachcomber and rock polisher. Loved drinking coffee on their “poop deck” and watching the sun rise over the harbor.

The cookbook has a brief history of Good Cheer plus a pictorial section of the Good Cheer Garden.

The first part of the cook­book has handwritten recipes from old South Whidbey families on everything from how to properly clean clams and make clam fritters to how to catch steelhead off Bush Point and Lagoon Point.

I asked Kathy McLaughlin, the executive director of the food bank, for one of her favorite recipes so that we could provide you with a preview.

Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Sauce

1 lg onion finely minced, divided in half

½ stick butter, divided in half

3 tablespoon olive oil, divided in half

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1 qt box chicken broth

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cumin

3 tablespoon chili powder

kosher salt and pepper to taste

1 1/2 lbs. cooked chicken, shredded

3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 heaping tablespoons chunky peanut butter

1 tablespoon flour

1 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree

24 corn tortillas

approx. ½ cup chopped scallions

4-5 cups shredded cheese mix, monterey jack and cheddar

approx. ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

approx 3/4 cup queso fresco cheese

Kathleen Marshall noted that she worked a long time developing this recipe. ” Whenever I made enchiladas I usually tried to doctor up some canned sauce but it always had kind of a bitter taste to it. One time I was reading about authentic Mexican cooking and I noticed they used a lot of pumpkin and squash in some of their dishes. I decided to experiment with pumpkin as a sauce base. I couldn’t believe how great it came out and no one can even tell it’s in there! Of course fresh pumpkin in season would be that much better.”

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Season and bake chicken on prepared baking sheet pan.

3. Saute half of minced onion and minced garlic with half of olive oil and butter in a large skillet until onion is translucent.

4. Sprinkle with flour and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in spices, wine, sugar and peanut butter.

5. Add pumpkin and chicken stock, simmer and reduce down till thickened. Approx 10 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste if needed. Remove from heat.

6. Chop or shred cooked chicken and saute in a separate skillet with the other half of the minced onion and oil, then add approx 2 ladles of sauce, mix and remove from heat.

7. Make enchiladas – warm tortillas on a lightly oiled pan on both sides till soft and bendable, approx. 30 seconds per side.

8. Fill with approx 1/4 cup chicken filling, drizzle with more sauce and sprinkle with cheese.

9. Roll up and put in greased baking dish. Continue till all chicken filling is used.

10. Cover entire dish with sauce and remainder of cheese mix.

11. Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 20 minutes, till cheese is melted and enchiladas are heated through.

12. Sprinkle with queso fresco and chopped fresh cilantro and serve.

Makes 24 enchiladas

Recipe by

Kathleen Marshall

Good Cheer and Good Cooking!

Please support Good Cheer and the local businesses on South Whidbey!

Good Cheer’s – No Points – Holiday Meal Program

Nov 032011
 
 November 3, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

The Holiday season is drawing near and Good Cheer, with your help, will be spreading happiness. Good Cheer’s No Points Holiday Meal Program will continue because of the support that we receive from our community. Many food banks in Western Washington can’t offer a holiday meal program because their budgets have been cut at the federal, state, and county levels.

This is unfortunate since new poverty data to be released next week will show that the ranks of America’s poorest poor have climbed to a record high, one in fifteen people. About 20.5 million Americans, or 6.7 percent of the U.S. population, make up the poorest poor, defined as those at 50 percent or less of the official poverty level. Those living in deep poverty represent nearly half of the 46.2 million people scraping by below the poverty line. In 2010, the poorest poor meant an income of $5,570 or less for an individual and $11,157 for a family of four.

It’s nice to know that we can have an impact on so many people at just the right time of year. Together we can make a difference.

The Holiday season is a time of giving and it is our hope that you will be able to help us with your donations. Remember, for every dollar donated the food bank is able to purchase about nine dollars worth of food; we have a great creative shopping program!

Good Cheer has developed an innovative food points system which empowers clients to choose their own foods in a grocery-like setting using monthly points based upon household size. Selection of fresh produce is encouraged through low points for these healthful items. The Good Cheer garden which is tended by  community volunteers provides fresh-picked produce.

Holiday meals can be expensive for our clients and the ability to provide some good cheer with a zero points holiday meal is a way of making the Holiday season a little more fun for everyone.

Food Bank coordinator Damien Cortez and a crew of volunteers stocking our walk-in freezers with frozen turkeys!

The grocery at Good Cheer will have special Holiday displays full of supplies for our clients to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The shopping list will include turkey, stuffing (1bag/box), pumpkin (small can), yams (small can), cranberry (small can), gravy (1 can or package), rolls, and celery. This food is in addition to a household’s normal monthly food points.

There is another group on Whidbey Island that brings happiness on Thanksgiving Day. The Mobile Turkey Unit is a community service organization that has been with us since 1999. It was founded by Tom Arhontas, who had a special place in his heart for people in need. The goal of the Mobile Turkey Unit is to provide a free, home delivered, Thanksgiving meal for those who would otherwise not have one. This includes the elderly, shut-ins, low-income and unemployed people, plus employees working on Thanksgiving day on South and Central Whidbey.

This year they expect to provide Thanksgiving meals to at least 200 families on South and Central Whidbey Island. There are more than 150 volunteers in the program, a lot of people sharing from their hearts.

There is a story of a young girl who saw a Mobile Turkey Unit driver pull into her family’s driveway. She ran out into the driveway shouting, “Mommy, mommy! The turkey is here! Thanksgiving is here!”

We can work together and make the Holiday season brighter!

Please help us with your donations! You can drop donations off at the Good Cheer Food Bank at 2812 Grimm Rd. in Bayview or you can phone us at  360-221-6454.

Love, Peace and Happiness to All!

Good Cheer Garden Shed Raffle 2011

Jul 282011
 
 July 28, 2011  Posted by Mark Clawson 5 Responses »

The Good Cheer Food Bank is holding a raffle in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Harvest Party and Music Fest. The drawing will be held at the Harvest Party on September 10, 2011 at the Bayview center. Last years garden shed raffle raised over $9000 for the food bank and it is turning out to be one of our special fundraising events.

The custom built garden shed/greenhouse was built by Bob Bowling Rustics and can be seen on display at the Good Cheer Food Bank in Bayview. Tickets for the for the 6 by 8  foot structure are $5 apiece or five for $20 and are being sold at all Good Cheer Thrift Stores, the Food Bank office, and at Bob Bowling’s booth at the Bayview Farmer’s market.

Bob’s contribution to the food bank is a labor of love. He has used his skills as an artisan to handcraft a truly functional work of art. Bob felt that his biggest contribution to the Good Cheer Food Bank would come from his hands and he was sure right!

We have been very fortunate to have the support of our business community here on South Whidbey and we try to write a little something about everyone who helps us create a hunger free community. We encourage everyone to buy local and help our local businesses prosper.

Bob Bowling Rustics and the Chocolate Flower Farm, two of our local businesses combine to take the “Best in Show” award at The Northwest Garden Show.

Bob Bowling Rustics offers an unlimited variety of playful yet practical garden structures for your outdoor living spaces. One of a kind playhouses, chicken coops, greenhouses, tool sheds, outhouses, and garden chapels are made to order.

This fun outdoor shower was showcased at The Open Door Gallery at Bayview Corner in Langley, Washington.

Stone Water Bowls are another popular item made by Bob Bowling Rustics.

Want to see one of his Chicken Coops? Just click on the photo above and watch a short slideshow.

Our thanks goes out to Bob Bowling and the other businesses in our community that continue to support The Good Cheer Food Bank.

Good Cheer and Good Luck!

Let’s make this years raffle a BIG SUCCESS!

Talent Show Big Success – Over $5000 Raised

Jun 102011
 
 June 10, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

Megan Parker and Damien – Megan was one of the youngest to perform at the talent show. Damien and her were united again after having performed in a performance of Oliver earlier this year.

The show was a great success with over $5000 being raised for the food bank.

JaNoah and Damien put on a great talent show with sterling reviews from all around town. JaNoah solicited the prizes for the raffle and Damien coordinated sales and the awarding of prizes, quite a team!

RJ Barker was honored for his volunteer commitment to Good Cheer. He was then very surprised by a job offer to work at Good Cheer for the summer as a paid staff person. RJ is always the epitome of the tireless worker/volunteer at Good Cheer. He has worked in the distribution, office, food bank and thrift stores.

Rep. Norma Smith and JaNoah Spratt preparing for their appearance.

The original Talent Show idea came from a conversation between Norma and JaNoah during a tour of the Food Bank. Norma was not able to be at last year’s event but was here this year to sing Broken Road and lead the audience in a round of Happy Birthday for JaNoah’s 11th birthday. JaNoah was also the recipient of the Island Youth Hero award which he received last month.

Aljean and Dean Muncey: Always ready to pop the corn and make the world smell better. Aljean and Dean gave the evening that movie theater scent that brought everyone to the concessions, Yummy.

Tiger Martial Arts is always entertaining with their disciplined routines. JaNoah”s sensai Wendy Barker is also RJ Barker’s mom. The Barker family is very supportive of Good Cheer.

Volunteers baked and sold a variety of treats from cheese and crackers to popcorn.

Viriginia Linsey and Janet Karamanyan wore their Good Cheer finds with pride. They displayed the purchase price so people could see what the saving are at the Good Cheer Thrift Stores.

A Great Night and We Thank You for Your Support!

Good Cheer!

Clinton Foodmart – Customer Appreciation Day May 28th

May 162011
 
 May 16, 2011  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

The Clinton Foodmart is having it’s annual customer appreciation day Saturday the 28th. Here is your chance to own a really big screen television, a 47″ flatscreen.

Raffle tickets are being sold for one dollar and will be on sale until the drawing on Saturday. Proceeds from the raffle sales will go to the Good Cheer Capital Campaign. The food bank has had a strong relationship with the Clinton Foodmart and this benefit is in memory of Mike Sullivan.

Many thanks to Clinton Foodmart owners Clay and Candy Anderson for designating Good Cheer as the beneficiary of its May 28th Customer Appreciation Raffle. The drawing will take place at 1 p.m.  so come in for free coffee and cake (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday the day of the raffle).

If you don’t win the big prize there are others – You need not be present to win

5 Pizzas from the Village Pizzeria

3 Whidbey Island Logo Shirts

$100 Foodmart Gift Certificate

Here is the Clinton Foodmart Coupon link!

Good Cheer’s Queen of Coupons, volunteer Ula Lewis, welcomes all of your unused food coupons for the Food Bank’s now official Creative Food Buying Program which is designed to maximize savings on food bank purchases by utilizing savvy coupon know-how at area retail grocery stores.

Coupons can have a major impact on local food banks; at Good Cheer 25 to 35% of our food comes from the use of coupons and rebates. Food Bank staff look for those items that are the healthiest for our clients. Saving money through the use of coupons and rebates have affected other parts of the Food Bank’s operation by providing more flexibility in creating greater variety of food choices.

Food coupons expired? No problem. We’ll send them off to military families overseas (via local American Legion Posts 141) who can use them up to a year after their expiration date at U.S. military commissaries. Just drop your coupons off at the food bank or at any Good Cheer Thrift Store.

Good Luck and Good Cheer!

Roberta’s and Good Cheer

Dec 132010
 
 December 13, 2010  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

Roberta’s in Langley is running a promotion for the Good Cheer Food Bank this holiday season. She has some very unique scarves that are made by Tammy Bourque and Greg Stemos under the Birghtly Twisted label. This is a great accessory gift for the holidays.

Roberta will be contributing 25% of her profits, from the sale of these scarves, to Good Cheer! She didn’t expect to be front and center on the Good Cheer blog site, that is our way of giving. We believe that it is important to share these stories with the community, everything gets started by the actions of a few.

The Brightly Twisted pashmina scarves are hand dyed so that each piece is truly unique. They can be worn by women of all ages and fashion identities, a funky accent piece or an added piece of elegance.

Roberta’s is more than about scarves, we hope that you will explore her store during the holiday season!

You will be greeted by Roberta’s sweetheart of a dog – Frankie! I seem to notice a scarf around the neck.

Good Cheer!

The Sojourners Concert Benefit – Good Cheer and Helping Hand

Sep 152010
 
 September 15, 2010  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

This weekend, on September 19th, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to some really great gospel music. The Sojourners will be in concert on Sunday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland at 6:00 p.m.

The Sojourners came into being about twelve years ago when a few members of the bass and tenor sections of the Bothell United Methodist Church choir began to reminisce about the ‘good old songs’ of their youth.  Everyone commented on how they missed singing these great Gospel tunes.  A few of them decided to meet every two weeks to sing these great old songs and have some fun.  As time went by, more and more men became interested and before they knew it, they had a group of committed singers.


The Sojourners sing at churches, retirement homes, community events and just about anywhere there is a need to ‘lift the spirits’ with some foot stomping and spiritually motivating music.  They have performed for large events and for small groups in small towns; they enjoy them all equally.

Their primary mission is to inspire, uplift, entertain and provide the hope that is found within their music. You can view a video of the group by clicking on the above photo.

They look forward to serving you with song.

Good Cheer!

Life Skills Students Spend Time at Good Cheer

Sep 132010
 
 September 13, 2010  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

A couple of student volunteers are proving that helping others can be good training for the real world.  That’s the goal behind the volunteer efforts by Jake Reynolds, 17, and Leo Black, 19, both students are in the Life Skills program at South Whidbey High School. On weekday afternoons, instead of sitting in a classroom studying lessons from a book, the two are engaged in volunteer work at Good Cheer’s Bayview location.

“When we found out from our teacher that Good Cheer accepts student volunteers, Leo said it sounded like something we ought to do,” said Jake, who will be a senior next fall.  I said “Let’s do it!”

The students have been working every afternoon, Tuesdays through Fridays since September 2009, doing whatever projects are assigned to them. They average about five and a half hours a week.

Sometimes it’s sorting donations. Other times it’s breaking down cardboard boxes for recycling, shredding papers, or stacking cartons of priced goods to be delivered to the Good Cheer thrift stores in Langley and Clinton.

According to Mandy Jones, the para-educator who is assigned to them, the Life Skills program includes the work source option of working outside the school to learn job skills they will need for the future. It was designed by teacher Monique Mangin. Students in the program are enrolled in special education classes at South Whidbey High. Jobs could range from pet grooming, to dish washing, to yard work, to office help. Good Cheer is one of the businesses that has agreed to be part of the program. “These are the skills that these kids will need to know when they are out on their own,” Jones said. “They need to know how to cook, clean, do laundry and hold down a job.”

Jake Reynolds

Through their work, the students are learning about finding the right bus to go to their Life Skills job, how to keep track of their time, and how to listen to and follow the directions of their bosses. For Jake and Leo, it really means getting to work around people who are fun. “The people here at Good Cheer are always friendly,” said Jake. And Leo added, “We get to get out of school.”

Both young men like to sort in the donation center. Jake often does jewelry and Leo likes the toys. “I like to make up the grab bags with the toys,” he said. Leo grew up on Whidbey and already has graduated from high school, but remains a part of the Life Skills program until he is 21. Jake is from Los Angeles, but attends school on Whidbey where he lives with his grandparents.

Leo Black

They like working together as a team and they know they are learning. “I like that I am learning how to work with other volunteers and staff,” he said. “They set good examples for us to follow. And I’m learning to be more social and talkative.” When they are not in school, Jake likes to play video games and he surfs. Leo likes to ski and enjoys riding his bike. Both Leo and Jake said they will miss their work at Good Cheer during the summer but hope to return in the fall with the school program.

Jake and Leo have been very dedicated student volunteers, some of the best we’ve had. The program is a win-win for everybody. We love having Jake and Leo here and it’s so wonderful that they are learning skills that will help them in the future.

Jones said she’s been able to see a lot of progress in both of them. “I’ve noticed that they’ve gotten a lot more social,” she said. “They are more responsible and they keep track of time better. They work very hard and they get a lot done while they are here.”

Jake summed it up best. “We’re helping people out and we’re doing good things for the community,” he said.

Good Cheer!

Good Cheer Harvest Party and Music Fest 2010

Sep 082010
 
 September 8, 2010  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin 1 Response »

The theme of this year’s Harvest Party & Music Fest is “Cultivating Community”. If you click on the above poster you can view a slide show of last years event. This is the second annual Harvest Party and Music Fest and it will take place this weekend on Saturday September 11th at the Bayview site.

Good Cheer believes in stressing the importance of understanding and strengthening our connection with food. We encourage healthy food choices and earth friendly cultivating techniques and the word is getting out! Organic farming is growing in response to the demand and that is a good thing for the community and the world.

Hunger in America touches more people than you can possibly imagine; hunger can be so close to home. It’s not easy to admit that you are in need. I did a post awhile back that had a short video on Hunger in America. Perhaps this is a good time to bring it forward once again. I can imagine that many of our clients at the food bank would like to convey their appreciation for helping them in their time of need.

Without your support we would find it difficult to be your steward in the fight against hunger in the community.

Thank you for being there. Just click on the thank you below to view the video.

Before I talk about the Harvest Festival it is important to give thanks to the community support that we recently received through Whidbey Island Bank’s Community Challenge in August.  The total funds received, when added to the $5,000 matching grant from Whidbey Island Bank, plus an additional $5,000 match from an anonymous donor, will allow us to keep the Food Bank shelves stocked for the next three months!

Food is an ongoing need, though, so we are mindful that our upcoming holiday appeal is what will keep us going through the lean winter months of January through March. Let’s hope that the economy improves to the point that our record-number of clients begins to decline.

The Harvest Party and Music Fest is a time to celebrate the harvest; a time for the people in the community to gather and celebrate life! You’ll find garden workshops, local music, great food, a cook-off competition, raffles for the garden shed from Bob Bowling Rustics and the garden quilt created by the Trinity Lutheran Church Quilters. You can click on the links to find out more if you haven’t had a chance to read the past posts.

The Harvest Party and Music Fest is having a scarecrow contest and you’ll all have a chance to vote for the winner. Bunny was voted the top scarecrow in the staff scarecrow contest!

These types of events are special for the kids. Children can take part in Garden Bingo and win gift certificates, try their skill at a penny toss for glassware and crystal, and enjoy a crafts and reading tent with a garden story-time at 1 p.m. sponsored by the Sno-Isle Libraries.

Free Community Gardening Workshops:


9:00 a.m to 10:30 a.m.:  Top Tips for Fall Planting (by Cary Peterson)

1:00 to 2:00 p.m.:  Composting How-To Class

2:00 to 3 p.m.:  How to Build & Maintain a Worm Bin (by JaNoah Spratt)

Local musicians (organized by Julie Pigott and emceed by South Whidbey’s “conductor of fun” Jim Freeman) will play sets between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Drawings will be held at 3 p.m. for the greenhouse/garden shed built and donated by Bob Bowling, and the garden quilt donated by the Trinity Lutheran Quilters. (Raffle tickets are available at all Good Cheer Thrift Stores and the Bayview site, with proceeds to benefit the garden).

Cooking teams from three local nonprofits will choose ingredients from the garden and the food bank (plus a surprise ingredient), then in a competition resembling “Iron Chef” and “Chopped!” create two out of three choices of an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert to be judged by the public for a dollar a vote. Cooking starts at 11 a.m. with judging beginning at noon.

This year’s festival artwork, created by local artist Kathy Marshall, will be auctioned off at noon.

You can view a complete schedule of events and musicians by clicking here.

Thank you to our Festival Sponsors!

Major Sponsors: Island Athletic Club • Nichols Bros. Boat Builders • Porter-Whidbey Insurance • The Star Store • Whidbey Marketplace and News •

Additional Sponsors: Music for the Eyes

Have a Happy Harvest Festival!

Good Cheer!

Whidbey Island Bank Community Challenge for the Good Cheer Food Bank

Jul 302010
 
 July 30, 2010  Posted by Kathy McLaughlin No Responses »

Whidbey Island Bank is truly a community bank and it happens to be the only bank that still has a headquarters on the island. The bank was started by a group of Whidbey Island business people in Coupeville back in the early 1960s.

Today, the bank is one of the largest employers on Whidbey Island. This is a bank that cares about the community and how it does the business of banking.

Last year the bank earned a 5-Star rating from Bauer Financial for financial strength and stability. Nice to know that we have one of the strongest banks in the nation right here on the Island.

Whidbey Island Bank has a challenge for you!

Whidbey Island Bank is sponsoring a Community Challenge Matching Fund Drive from now through August 31st to help raise needed funds for the Good Cheer Food Bank in Bayview. The bank will match donations from the community up to a total amount of $5,000. The matched fund potential of $10,000 will help Good Cheer keep food shelves stocked through what continues to be a time of increased needs owing to the continued recession.

We are all at our best when we are helping others!

According to Pam Bickel the manager of the Langley Branch, “The idea of a fundraiser began with an article in the South Whidbey Record in June about the increased use of and decline of monetary donations for the Food Bank.  Whidbey Island Bank feels very much in partnership with the communities it serves and wanted to help in some way.  The bank felt it could maximize a donation by matching contributions made by our community members during a month-long campaign up to a total amount of $5000.00. Part of being a good neighbor means stepping up when the community meets challenging times.”

We are very grateful to Whidbey Island Bank for their leadership in this matching fund drive. They continue to be strong supporters of Good Cheer in terms of both donations and employees who volunteer at Good Cheer.

Donations are being accepted at all Whidbey Island Bank locations on South Whidbey:

Clinton Branch -  Branch Manager Candy Anderson at 360-341-5238

Freeland Branch – Branch Manager Anne Bobinac at 360-331-5868

Langley Branch – Branch Manager Pam Bickel at 360-221-0203

Donations can also be made at all Good Cheer Thrift Stores and the Food Bank office in Bayview. You can mail donations to Good Cheer Community Challenge / PO Box 144, Langley WA 98260 or click here to contribute online.

Donations should be identified as “Community Challenge” in the memo area on checks and online.

Good Cheer!

 Older Entries