Beat summer hunger, become a Grub Club volunteer

Chelsea Yarnell • June 28, 2024


Rows of brown paper bags are lined up ready to be filled with the day’s lunch. Nearby, gracious hands make sandwiches and fill snack bags. 

 

You can tell the whole operation is overseen by a former school teacher. There are charts. There are schedules. But most of all, there are big hearts.

 

The Grub Club in Tillamook is an entirely volunteer-run program that serves free lunches to kids 18 years and younger through the summer months. Former Tillamook School District elementary school teacher Scott Wenzel is in his second year overseeing the program, third year involved.

 

“In June, we average about 100 lunches a day,” he said. “Then in late July and all of August, we average about 300 a day when the summer schools are in session.”

 

On weekday mornings, volunteers arrive at Tillamook High School to prepare the day’s lunch. Sandwich makers, small baggers, ice chests preparers, and drivers are all essential to the operation. Each lunch is packed with a protein, vegetable, fruit, something to drink (generally milk), and sometimes a treat.

 

“I had to send a month-long sample menu to the Oregon Department of Education [ODE], and then they approve it,” Wenzel said.


After preparations, the lunches are packed and delivered to Grub Club locations at: Champion Park Apartments, Tillamook County Family YMCA, Glenhaven Park Apartments, Trask River Apartments, and the Tillamook County Library (main branch). *See flyer for lunch times. Lunches are free to kids under the age of 18. Adults need not be present.

 


Funding for the lunch program is reimbursed by the ODE, but all legwork is done locally.

 

“We have to fill out all kinds of paperwork,” Wenzel said. “ODE does checks, approvals, and they send people out to inspect facilities.”

 

Planning, prepping, and delivering 100-plus lunches is reliant on those willing to donate their time.


“We definitely need volunteers all the time. We don't need money. ODE provides all that,” Wenzel said. “We need people to make sandwiches, people to do small bagging, and people to drive.”

 

Wenzel detailed that volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge commitment. Help can be lent for a day or all summer, with shifts lasting as short as an hour.


Cristi Shirk has been a Grub Club volunteer for the past 12 years. She learned about the program after attending an informational meeting hosted by the Tillamook Rotary Club. 

 

“I worked in the schools for 30 years and I just knew there was a need,” Shirk said. “So, I just keep coming.”

 

Based on the State of Oregon’s October 2022 School Nutrition Program report, five Tillamook School District schools have over 50 percent of the student’s population that are eligible for free or reduced lunch. Wilson River School and Liberty Elementary School are the highest with 94.5 and 67.74 percent of students eligible for meal programs.

 

At the start of 2024, Tillamook School District introduced the Community Eligibility Provision that made all enrolled students of Tillamook School District eligible to receive a breakfast and lunch (including one milk) at school at no charge. Free and reduced meal applications are no longer required.


Until school resumes and students have access to the Community Eligibility Provision program, Grub Club will bridge the gap. Lunches are served Monday through Friday, until August 30. No lunches will be served on July 4.

 

The Grub Club host organization is the Tillamook United Methodist Church .

 

To volunteer, reach out to Wenzel at scottkarenanna@yahoo.com




Beach Cleanup Day

June 13, 2025
Join the Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS and Oceanside Action Partnership on Saturday, July 5 in the efforts to keep the coastal ecosystems clean and healthy by picking up debris left on the beaches before it gets washed into the ocean. From Cape Meares to Netarts, there is often debris left on the beaches after the 4th of July festivities. This is an opportunity to clean up the beach with friends or family, or expand your community by teaming up with fellow volunteers. Volunteers will meet at The Schooner Restaurant at 9 am and split into teams to cover as much area as possible. “Volunteers of all ages will find the beach cleanup fun, educational, and rewarding,” said Marina Dreeben, WEBS Stewardship Coordinator. To show appreciation for cleanup efforts, the Schooner Restaurant will be offering 10 percent meals for volunteers on the day of the event. Advanced registration saves time, but is not required. To register and read more about this event visit: http://www.netartsbaywebs.org/events Questions? Contact info@netartsbaywebs.org

Tillamook School of Dance honors local hospice team

By Chelsea Yarnell • June 12, 2025
Beginning in 2014, the Tillamook School of Dance has dedicated admission funds from their spring dance showcase to local hospice care. Since its inception, the benefit show has raised nearly $60,000. This year’s performance, “A Tribute to the King,” paid homage to Elvis Presley, and Tillamook School of Dance Owner and Director Pink Colleknon-Eggert said it was the studio’s most well attended show. “The meticulous details that Scott Casey and I have been working on are like nothing I’ve ever done before,” she said, noting all the work to make the dancers hair and makeup look like Priscilla Presley. “We’re so proud of what we’ve created together.”

Tillamook hosts Cowbell Classic Pickleball Tournament

By Chelsea Yarnell • June 5, 2025
Let’s hear more cowbell for the fastest growing sport in the country: pickleball! The Tillamook Pickleball Club is bringing the competition and hype to the coast this month. The “Cowbell Classic” will be hosted June 21-22 at the outdoor courts at Al Griffin Memorial Park in Bay City, as well as the indoor courts at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds. The pickleball tournament is round robin style with events in men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles that are also categorized by skill and age groups. The cost is $50 for one event, and $25 for an additional event. All participants receive a commemorative t-shirt and gift bag. A raffle and barbeque will be held at Al Griffin Park in Bay City following the completion of events on Saturday, June 21. “This is our first tournament, so we’re trying to make it memorable,” Tillamook Pickleball Club President Roger Miller said. “We have enough players that are pretty active and have played in other tournaments. We felt that the time was right and we had some people who were willing to step up and pull this together.”

Community good works

By Chelsea Yarnell • May 29, 2025
More than a dozen community partners were selected to receive funds as a part of Tillamook High School’s Charity Drive Community Grants. In total, $57,000 was awarded. Some of the receiving organizations included: Tillamook Fire Department, Tides of Change, Tillamook VFW Post 2848, Tilly Tots Preschool, Tillamook Oddfellows, Compassion Tillamook, The Grinch Gang, and the Tillamook Early Learning Center. A complete list of recipients is below. 

Rep. Javadi hosts town hall amidst 'busiest session in two decades'

By Chelsea Yarnell • May 22, 2025
Oregon State Representative Cyrus Javadi said the 2025 legislative session has been “productive” and the “busiest session in two decades” referring to the nearly 4,000 bills introduced since January. Rep. Javadi hosted a town hall event at Tillamook Bay Community College on May 21. He invited constituents to attend and receive a legislative update as well as ask questions. The town hall gathering began with an update on bills that could potentially have an impact in Tillamook County including the much anticipated transportation package. “The Oregon Department of Transportation finds themselves in a 2 billion shortfall,” Rep. Javadi told the town hall gathering. “The department does not receive money from the income tax, but rather from the fuel tax and DMV fees. They miscalculated how much people would be driving and the impact on fuel efficient and electric vehicles. This has led to a gap.” Rep. Javadi said that the bill is expected to be revealed on May 22. “Tillamook could benefit with some desperately needed funds for Hwy 6,” he said. Other updates included the reopening of Tillamook’s dialysis center that Rep. Javadi called a “big win,” as well as HB 3556 which would change what percentage of transient lodging taxes can be used for public services. “This would be a huge win for rural communities…it would give our [community] leaders some flexibility,” he said. Overall referring to the news about the state’s potential budget deficit, Rep. Javadi said that there’s “plenty of revenue coming in, it’s a spending problem that we have…we need to go in and find out what matters the most. There’s a lot of pressure and talk about whether to tax people or not.” Rep. Javadi also mentioned that he has sent letters to Congress and the White House concerning the freezing of federal dollars that were being utilized for housing projects on the Oregon Coast.

Coffee with a Cop

By Chelsea Yarnell • May 15, 2025
Since becoming Tillamook Police Chief, Nick Troxel has made it a point to connect with the community. “I’ve spent the first six months as police chief building the foundations,” he told the Tillamook Newsie. “Now, in the second six months I want to focus on community engagement; I want to tell the story of all the good things we are doing and recognize the community.” This past week, the Tillamook Police Department hosted one of their outreach programs: “Coffee with a Cop.” Every few months, community members are invited to attend the low-key gather to meet and dialogue with the officers of the Tillamook Police Department.

Developing housing on ‘unbuildable’ land

By Chelsea Yarnell • May 7, 2025
Jeff Wong owns, what’s viewed as, a very difficult lot to build on. It’s in a flood zone, zoned commercial, and particularly small. It’s not exactly a developers dream. But, Wong is determined to show that, despite the challenges, a little creativity and persistence can create housing opportunities in Tillamook County. Wong, owner of CS Fishery (Garibaldi), saw an urgent need for housing during the pandemic. “Covid took out a lot of housing inventory when people decided to come down here full time and not rent out their homes,” Wong said. “And then I think people also did investment buying and with that came short-term rentals. Many of my employees could no longer work out here. They wanted to work and I depended on them a lot in the summer for seasonal help, but they just couldn’t find any long-term housing for those windows. Out of survival for, not only for myself, but other businesses, we needed workforce housing. That’s how this came about.” Wong detailed that he walked through the steps to get a permit in the floodplain, and hired an architect to draw up plans for a building: four small apartments to occupy the second floor and a commercial kitchen on the first level. “The facility will have a kitchen to support my business so I can cut and sell my fish and other seafood products,” Wong said.

‘Charming Mothers’ build-a-bracelet trail

By Chelsea Yarnell • April 30, 2025
In honor of Mother’s Day, from May 5-10 businesses in downtown Tillamook are hosting a free build-a-bracelet trail. “We’re always trying to do family-friendly events and get people to town and get them to businesses they might have never been to before,” Tillamook Revitalization Association [TRA] President Kristy Lombard said. “There’s no obligation to buy anything. But, people are encouraged to look around.” Presented by TRA, mothers are invited to collect their silver bracelet base and map at ReCurrent. Then, participants can visit the sixteen different business in downtown Tillamook; each with a different collection of beads and charms. “There will be a random array at each location, so people can build their bracelets how they’d like,” Lombard said. “You won’t have a bracelet like anyone else.” 

Run to the ‘Top of the World’

By Chelsea Yarnell • April 24, 2025
The Ultramook 50k & 30k is a race like none other. Traveling the Tillamook Ridge Trail, the race is made up of a larger 30k loop and a smaller 20k loop. Participants will either run the larger 30k loop and finish or run both loops to finish a total of 50k. This year’s race will be hosted July 12 at 8 a.m. The race is staged at the Hydrangea Ranch in Tillamook, with the starting line directly across the Kilchis River from the farm. The rest of the race runs through the Tillamook State Forest and BLM managed lands.
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