As a concerned brother in the Lord and a lifelong resident of our Valley, I am disheartened by recent events pertaining to our local food bank. I do not know all that went into North Bend Community Church asking Mount Si Food Bank to leave, and regardless of whether or not it was just, it happened.

Our community’s businesses and citizens have long been supportive of the institution that was run by the Snoqualmie Valley Ministerial Association. In light of what has happened, however, it seems that our community and those they have served for so long would be best served by one food bank, comprised of all willing to give and serve, and with nothing short of the full support of the entire faith community.

This division that has taken place will only serve to undermine the support of both food banks and those who rely on their services will be the ones who are hurt.

The assets of the Mount Si Food Bank do indeed belong to the Snoqualmie Valley Ministerial Association. However, they were all generously given with the intent of keeping those doors open and serving the needs of our Valley residents.

The newly formed Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank is an organization of gifted and giving people, most of whom openly profess faith in our Lord. They are currently serving the same people that (the association) so faithfully served, from the same location, and on the same day of the week.

The morally correct thing to do would be to turn over the assets of Mount Si Food Bank to this new organization and humbly come alongside them and serve our community and our Lord in unity.

Regardless of how we got here, (the association) has the ability to set things right and help our entire community move forward.

Dustin Ross

North Bend