Loaves and Fish honor Boyle, volunteers
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — What started out to be a volunteer appreciation barbecue at the Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry on June 12 turned out to be a big day for Gerrie Boyle.
Bryan River, general manager of the food pantry, and Sid Rundell, Loaves and Fish board member, unveiled a sign designating the serving room as the “Gerrie Boyle Food Resource Room.”
Boyle, who served as general manager of the food pantry for 23 years and who has volunteered with the organization for 28 years, teared up.
“I love the pantry; it’s been my baby,” Boyle said, thanking River and Rundell.
With various health issues, Boyle had a tough year and the special recognition touched her.
She’s moved with the pantry from its original location behind the State Liquor Store to a building on Seventh Avenue to a rental on Eighth Avenue to the pantry’s current home on First Street East.
Originally Boyle was recruited when Ivan Nunley approached her at a card party and asked if she’d like to volunteer at the food pantry. Boyle said yes, started working and then Nunley moved to Florida. Boyle took over management.
“It fell on me,” she said, adding that many weeks saw her working every day instead of the three days a week the pantry was open.
Boyle, Grace Schumacher and Laverne Bailey were the only volunteers. The ranks have swelled to around 50 volunteers, River said, with some who have set work days and some who come when a special need arises.
River also thanked the volunteers who attended, saying, “You folks are what makes the pantry go, so thanks.”
But Boyle got the last word.
“You are not getting rid of me,” she said. “I’ll still come and work until I can’t walk.”
