Providing food for the needy is often thought of as a problem for third world countries, but with few jobs in Siskiyou County and rapidly rising food prices, low income area residents, seniors, the disabled, and others from Forks of Salmon to Dunsmuir rely on free food commodities distribution to supply a basic human need.
In 22 distribution centers throughout the county, Great Northern Corporation’s food distribution program offers citizens free food where otherwise they might go hungry
“We serve over 1,200 households and approximately 2,400 people,” said program supervisor Dennis Baldini. “We offer canned goods, dry goods, and produce.”
The program, which is overseen by the county’s board of supervisors, also runs a soup kitchen-style lunch in Yreka and emergency food aid.
Baldini said “lack of employment” is one reason for the low income.
A quick look at the employment ads in local newspapers shows a smattering of work opportunities requiring technical skills and a few low level non-skilled jobs. According to the California Employment Development Department, the current unemployment rate for Siskiyou County stands at nearly 9 percent, as opposed to a national rate of 5.7 percent, as reported by the US Department of Labor.
“You can’t just go out and get a job in Siskiyou County,” Baldini said. “We have people in the program who want to work. We also have a lot of seniors with fixed incomes.”
Because many clients are unable to get themselves to distribution centers, Baldini said, “Quite a few of our sites deliver to homebound.”
He said the bulk of the food money comes from the State of California.
“We order three months at a time, and the amount of money we get is based on population. We get a year’s allocation, and the orders are filled with no money changing hands,” Baldini said. “There is only one county that gets less money than we do. They often don’t understand rural areas. Rules for the city don’t work here.”
As an example, Baldini noted that getting fresh produce in the city is easier because stores are often close to distribution centers.
“We have a lot of miles to travel in this county,” he said.
Baldini credits the program’s success to “great volunteers” who run all the sites.
“We have ladies 79 and 80 years old helping. I can’t give the volunteers enough credit,” he said. “Without them, the program couldn’t run.”
Baldini said the program is always looking for volunteers to do a  variety of jobs including driving to shut-ins and packing the food bags and boxes. Monetary donations are accepted. Baldini can be reached at 530-859-0409.
To qualify for the food program, citizens must sign a statement saying they are low income.
“It’s on the person’s word. We don’t turn anybody down,” Baldini said.
He noted that there are other food distribution programs, mostly through local churches.
 At the Yreka food distribution site last week at the Greenwood Grange building, supervisor Charlene Young is busy packing the boxes and bags of food as those in need begin arriving.
“We deliver to approximately 75 people and another 75 come in,” Young said. “They are mostly seniors and a few single mothers. We also help a few homeless. The sad part is that we are only allowed to give one bag per household. It’s not a lot, but everything helps. People need a little bit of help. New people are arriving all the time.”
Sixty-six year old Lani Forney is waiting to receive her bag. Holding a cane, she explains that she is disabled on Social Security and Supplemental Social Security Income.
“I am low income on a very fixed income. The program really helps,” Forney says. “I also pick up for two others.”
Among the volunteers packing the bags and boxes is eight year old Timothy Soli who says he is here to “help fill up the bags.”
“Timothy comes in with his grandparents to help,” Young says.
Like Baldini, Young says volunteers are always welcome.
“Just show up. We will find something for you to do,” Young says.