From Receiving to Giving: A Circle of Support
At Iskam MәkhMәk-Haws food pantry in Grand Ronde, food fills plates and also fuels community spirit. Here, Alyssa, a former day-care operator turned community advocate, found a fresh start amid major life challenges.
Originally from Hermiston, Eastern Oregon’s largest city, Alyssa and her family faced a severe economic downturn when their day-care business closed overnight due to COVID-19.
“We had zero income, six kids, and suddenly, our lives turned upside down,” Alyssa remembers. The transition was abrupt, from a bustling daily routine to uncertainty. Her family’s situation deteriorated further when she contracted COVID-19, made more severe by an autoimmune disorder, adding months of health challenges to their financial troubles.
The family soon faced eviction, forcing them into a nomadic lifestyle — a setting far removed from the life they once knew. “It was at Wandering Spirits RV Park that we first learned about Iskam MәkhMәk-Haws,” Alyssa explains. She was introduced to its mobile food truck, a new experience for someone familiar with the sparse offerings of food banks in the past. “We just filled out some papers, and they gave us food. Never in my life have I seen the plethora of food that Iskam brings in.”
This generosity inspired Alyssa’s family to give back to the tribal community that had welcomed them. “The next week, we received food, and I asked for a volunteer form,” she shares. Soon, Alyssa, husband Corey, and youngest daughter Avarie were all deeply involved, transitioning from receiving aid to providing it.
Alyssa’s family’s volunteer efforts at Iskam are about more than handing out food; they are about creating moments of joy and dignity. As someone who depended on food banks as a child, she understands the significance of her actions. She shares a special memory: “One day we received some cakes, and I saved one for a little boy who always asked for one. When I gave it to him, he cried, and so did I. It’s something he will always remember.” She knows that powerful emotional bonds can be formed through simple acts of kindness.
Now Alyssa sees the food bank not just as a source of food, but also as a crucial community resource that helps families through tough times. “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be ashamed. We all need help at some point,” she advises those who are reluctant to seek help.
Iskam MәkhMәk-Haws remains a pillar of hope and support for Alyssa and many others. It serves as a powerful reminder that communities thrive when they come together to support each other — whether it’s through sharing food, experiences, or even just a slice of cake. Alyssa sums it up perfectly: “Today it might be your day to receive help, and tomorrow you may be the one giving it,” capturing the essence of this community’s spirit of giving and receiving.
Thank you for your generous support, which provides critical support for neighbors who are experiencing food insecurity.
And thank you to the following partners who join you with their support of Iskam MәkhMәk-Haws:
Oregon Food Bank
Pacific Power Foundation
Spirit Mountain Community Fund
