Camas Lions challenges Rotary Club of Camas-Washougal to a cereal showdown

CAMAS — When the Camas Lions heard the Inter-Faith Treasure House in Washougal had a desperate need for breakfast cereal for its weekend food backpack program, the club immediately brainstormed ideas.

At a Nov. 2 Lions meeting, Nancy Wilson, a Camas Lions member and director of the Inter-Faith Treasure House, talked about the status of the backpack program, including the amount of cereal available and the growing need for food for kids to take home on weekends. Martin Wolf, who had spent part of his morning filling the food backpacks, spoke next.

“We filled the van full with bags of food, but we are very, very low on breakfast cereal,” Wolf said.

So the Lions decided to collect boxes of cereal to donate to Treasure House. To make an even bigger impact, the club proposed a challenge to the Rotary Club of Camas-Washougal. Members also wanted to gain further public awareness, so they scheduled the final collection day to coincide with the Downtown Camas Association Nov. 16 event, Sip & Shop, so passersby can see the good work being done by the local service organizations.

Once the club finalized this on-the-spot service project, two guests, Mark Mansell and Debbie Mansell of Peninsula Lions, donated the first $60 to go toward the Lions’ cereal collection effort.

“Getting involved with the Treasure House weekend food backpack program was an instant success,” said Camas Lions President Stephanie O’Dell. “The club is very grateful for the opportunity to make sure kids don’t go hungry. When we heard there was an additional need, we absolutely wanted to do even more!”