LA GRANDE — Neilie Wilson wants to get the word out — the La Grande branch of the Salvation Army is open once again and offering food assistance.

After a temporary closure due to staffing issues, the branch reopened its food pantry services in early February after Wilson rejoined the team. Despite the low levels of stock on the shelves, Wilson was there helping put together food boxes for those in need, said Alice Marzano, manager of social services for Baker City and La Grande.

But that changed on Thursday, Feb. 22, when a Salvation Army truck backed into the parking lot alongside La Grande’s Grace Bible Church, home of the local Salvation Army. It was packed full of shelf-stable items and kitchen staples like soup, beans, nuts and a variety of tomato-based products.

“I’m extremely excited,” Marzano said. “We’re fully ready to go.”

Low-income individuals and families can pick up a food box once every 30 days, according to Marzano. These boxes include shelf-stable kitchen staples and frozen meat.

Wilson added that Fresh Alliance — which offers perishable foods such as fruit, vegetables and dairy products — is available every Thursday at the food pantry.

The Salvation Army, founded in England in 1865, is an international evangelical organization that operates a range of social service programs in 133 countries around the world.

The Salvation Army has had a presence in Union County for decades and has always been a stalwart helper for community members.

During her time with the Salvation Army, Wilson said she has seen the need for food assistance grow in the county. When she started four years ago, the location was providing food boxes for 50-60 families a month.

However, in the five months leading up to the temporary closure, that number tripled and the branch was helping around 150 families a month. She said the numbers of families using Fresh Alliance were even higher.

While the La Grande location was closed, Marzano said many families were making the trip to Baker City in order to continue receiving assistance from the Salvation Army.

Wilson believes that as the La Grande location gets back up to capacity, it will be servicing around the same number of families as it did before the closure.

The La Grande location had to temporarily shut its doors in late 2023 after Wilson’s resignation coincided with the death of longtime Salvation Army employee Art Trice in September.

When Wilson decided to leave her position, she said the staff didn’t know the “last day was going to be our last day.”

Wilson said Trice’s official job title was driver, but “he did so much more than that.” She credits him with teaching her everything she knows about her position. He is greatly missed by not only Wilson but all those he impacted through his work.

Within a few months, Wilson realized she missed the job and ended up reapplying. She said she is so thankful for the community coming together and helping those in need during the holidays while the local service was on hiatus.

“I’m back for good,” she said. “I missed it too much. I love this job.”

While the doors to the Salvation Army are once more open in La Grande, there is still a lot that needs to be done. The branch is still looking to hire a driver.

Marzano added that they are also working on getting the funding necessary to offer other services, such as voucher writing for emergency assistance and providing support with utilities, motel and gas.

The La Grande Salvation Army’s food pantry at Grace Bible Church, 1114 Y Ave., is open 9 a.m. until noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

For assistance call

541-963-4829 or stop by during business hours.