I am a thrifty shopper.  I use coupons, rewards points, shop the sales, and shop on senior citizen discount days to maximize my dollars.  I am on my way to get my free turkey. Over the months, I have squirreled away enough food to put together 8 holiday meals, representing one for each council member and the mayor.

Turkey, ham, green bean casserole ingredients, baking items, stuffing, cranberries, Jello salad makings, all bagged up in bright red reusable shopping bags.

I walked into the Nov. 12 council meeting and went to the podium during public comments.  I carried with me one of those red bags full of holiday foods.  I introduced myself to the council, mayor and those in the room.

I challenged each city leader on the dais to donate a holiday meal.  You see, I figure with my eight meals and their eight we can make sure at least 16 families have a nice holiday meal.  It’s like a pebble in a pond. I throw a rock into the pond and the waves spread throughout the council chamber.

I graciously offered to take checks or cash, promising to hand them over to Stew Bowen, Bonney Lake Food Bank director, who can do his magic to maximize our money donations to feed many more than these 16 families.

In the past, Mayor Neil Johnson has been active organizing the “Turkey Bowl.”  I asked if he was in. He said “Yes. But don’t expect us to play football anymore, we’re way too old.  We just show up, eat dinner and look for a sporting event.”  There were many chuckles in the room.

However, the mayor leads by example. He has his friends over before the Turkey Bowl and he collects food and donations for the food bank. One year he gathered 400 pounds of food and $50-$100 in checks/cash.

I challenged the mayor to match my donations I made Nov. 15 to the Bonney Lake Food Bank.  The mayor and I agreed that at the next council meeting after the Turkey Bowl we will compare donation receipts. Bring it!

Two people got up and handed me checks after I sat down.  Two more gave me cash after the meeting.  Just saying, Neil.

The Bonney Lake Food Bank recently sent this out on Facebook:

The lingering effects of a bad economy continue to impact members of our community. As the weather gets colder and heating bills increase, money for food gets tighter in some area homes. The Bonney Lake Food Bank could really use any extra non-perishable food items you would like to donate. It’s a great opportunity to get that extra cupboard space you need this time of year.

The Bonney Lake Food Bank serves not only Bonney Lake, but also the entire Lake Tapps area, Sumner, Buckley, Wilkeson, Carbonado and South Prairie. If you’d like ideas for more ways on how you can help put food on empty plates in your community, check out the Bonney Lake Food Bank website, http://teamblcr.us and click on the “Donate” button. If a cash donation is preferred, there is also a Paypal link. You can also get ideas there for running a food drive and their hours for drop off.

I know there was a recent article in the Courier-Herald encouraging donations to the food bank. But I cannot stress the need enough.

And yes, bless that city of Bonney Lake staff who are working like Santa’s helpers on their own food drive and for the upcoming Giving Tree and Shop with a Cop. I understand that the Police Department has a city-wide food drive starting Nov. 25 running through Dec. 9. But why wait?

How about you greater Bonney Lake plateau? Are you in?  Take your donations of cash, checks or food to the Bonney Lake Food Bank and mention “Carter’s Corner” sent you.

If you live in this community, please give to this community.