Our Mission
Feeding and caring for the Methow Valley Community while honoring and respecting one another at difficult times in our lives
The Cove came into existence when Methow Valley resident and former school teacher, Glenn Schmekel, went through a period of soul searching in his mid-50s. Glenn considered himself a spiritual man. One day while taking a walk, he said he felt as if a divine presence led him to the question, “How can we help our neighbors in need?” There were no active food banks at the time, so he set about launching The Cove. The Cove opened its doors as the Methow Valley Food Bank on April 23rd, 1998. The Cove began by providing short-term assistance of supplemental food to individuals and families of the Methow Valley and in 2000, The Cove was granted its non-profit 501(C)3 tax status.
The Aid and Assistance Fund commenced in February of 2001, when The Cove board agreed to expand its area of outreach to include emergency, short-term, financial assistance.
And as time marched on, new programs were developed under the guidance and operation of The Cove.
The Guardian Angels program was launched and created a mission to match volunteers to those people in the Methow Valley community who want to remain in their home, but are at risk of becoming socially or physically isolated. This program is now run by Methow At Home and more information can be found at: https://methowathome.clubexpress.com/
In July 2003, The Cove Golf Classic was created as the primary fundraising event and one of the cornerstones for The Cove Food Bank and its affiliated programs. Each year the Classic, with a field of 19 four-person scramble teams, raises bout $10,000 in team entries and local sponsorships. Registrations open in mid-March for this annual mid-July event and fills up quickly with priority for returning players and an occasional new entry.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors was founded in the mid-1980s by local resident Glenna Eiffert and friends as a way to make the holidays a bit brighter during a time of year that can be more stressful, than joyous, for those in need. On the Saturday before Christmas Eve, a team of nearly 100 volunteers assemble meal bundles, load them into cars and deliver a holiday meal to over 100 local Methow Valley households.
The Methow Valley Manger Mall was modeled after a similar program in the neighboring community of Chelan. The annual Christmas gift program enables families to shop for affordable gifts for children ages infant to 18 years of age.
The Friday Food Program, modeled after Backpack Food programs of other communities, is the most recent program. Originally a function of the local Winthrop Kiwanis Club, Friday Food came under the COVE umbrella in 2015. The intention is to supplement food for students in the Methow Valley school district to get them through the weekends, often when parents are working in tourist economy service-type jobs.
You can read more about each of these programs by clicking on the links at the left of the page.
The Cove is funded entirely through private & public donations, grants and fundraising events. Donations of money, food and elbow grease are always welcomed, appreciated, and put to good use.
The Aid and Assistance Fund commenced in February of 2001, when The Cove board agreed to expand its area of outreach to include emergency, short-term, financial assistance.
And as time marched on, new programs were developed under the guidance and operation of The Cove.
The Guardian Angels program was launched and created a mission to match volunteers to those people in the Methow Valley community who want to remain in their home, but are at risk of becoming socially or physically isolated. This program is now run by Methow At Home and more information can be found at: https://methowathome.clubexpress.com/
In July 2003, The Cove Golf Classic was created as the primary fundraising event and one of the cornerstones for The Cove Food Bank and its affiliated programs. Each year the Classic, with a field of 19 four-person scramble teams, raises bout $10,000 in team entries and local sponsorships. Registrations open in mid-March for this annual mid-July event and fills up quickly with priority for returning players and an occasional new entry.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors was founded in the mid-1980s by local resident Glenna Eiffert and friends as a way to make the holidays a bit brighter during a time of year that can be more stressful, than joyous, for those in need. On the Saturday before Christmas Eve, a team of nearly 100 volunteers assemble meal bundles, load them into cars and deliver a holiday meal to over 100 local Methow Valley households.
The Methow Valley Manger Mall was modeled after a similar program in the neighboring community of Chelan. The annual Christmas gift program enables families to shop for affordable gifts for children ages infant to 18 years of age.
The Friday Food Program, modeled after Backpack Food programs of other communities, is the most recent program. Originally a function of the local Winthrop Kiwanis Club, Friday Food came under the COVE umbrella in 2015. The intention is to supplement food for students in the Methow Valley school district to get them through the weekends, often when parents are working in tourist economy service-type jobs.
You can read more about each of these programs by clicking on the links at the left of the page.
The Cove is funded entirely through private & public donations, grants and fundraising events. Donations of money, food and elbow grease are always welcomed, appreciated, and put to good use.