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Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Below is a list of WHERE to pick up a FREE copy of the print edition of the News-Advertiser. Also available every week at: thechronicleonline.com and at thechiefnews.com CLATSKANIE • CLATSKANIE SAFEWAY • HI SCHOOL PHARMACY IN CLATSKANIE • CLATSKANIE MARKET SCAPPOOSE • ROAD RUNNER GAS & GROCERY
• JACKPOT 76 • ENGSTROM CHEVRON • B&B MARKET • FRED MEYER • SMOKE SHOP • NELSON NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET • ACE • GROCERY OUTLET
ST. HELENS • CHUBB’S CHEVRON • SHERLOCK’S • YANKTON STORE • ZATTERBURG’S • MARKET FRESH • WALGREENS • BEST WESTERN • MOLLY’S MARKET
• ACE • DON’S RENTAL DEER ISLAND • DEER ISLAND STORE COLUMBIA CITY • COLUMBIA CITY GROCERY & GAS
RAINIER • ALSTON STORE • DOLLAR GENERAL WESTPORT • THE BERRY BATCH RESTAURANT • WEST MART STORE
County Food drive for the holidays Originally published in The Chronicle Vol. 141 November 1, 2023 WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
A local cleaning company is partnering with the Columbia Pacific Food Bank to give back to the community this holiday season. TexCo Cleaning is offering a special deal if people donate five cans of food to the Columbia Pacific Food Bank for a Thanksgiving food drive. “We partnered with the Columbia County food bank; that way we are giving back to those who are struggling right now with the inflation rates, with the unemployment rates, with recent businesses closing in Columbia County,” TexCo co-owner James Lee said. “There’s a need out here that isn’t being helped by the Portland metro area.” Chrissy Marquardt, who is the Marketing and Events Manager for Columbia Pacific Food Bank, said that partnerships like this are critical as they see more people come through the door looking for resources. This coincides with a decrease in food being supplied to the food bank at a regional and national level. “It is a great way to give back to the community. Of course, the dollars can go far, but actual food, especially during the holidays, as more people are going to come in the door, it’s a wonderful partnership,” Marquardt said. “Plus, it’s a chance to promote and support a local business as well.”
The drive will last from Nov. 1 until Nov. 20. The special deal is that after paying the minimum rate of $175 for cleaning, TexCo Cleaning will waive the cost of cleaning additional rooms with a donation of canned goods. “So if they donate five canned goods or food products or whatever they would like, then we will clean secondary areas for free, which is normally a $45 value,” Lee said. The fee is to support travel to the house and the standard cleaning fee. People often will pay for treatments or additional rooms, but with a donation, the additional fee will be waived. Lee is part owner of TexCo Cleaning, but his fulltime job is as a firefighter in Hillsboro. Though his business partner handles the carpet cleaning full-time, Lee said he has formed strong relationships within the community that have inspired him to give back. “We wanted to make sure that we were giving back and supporting the community that supports us,” Lee said. Lee said that this effort is part of trying to maintain the small-town community culture that exists throughout Columbia County. Lee said that giving back in smaller communities feels more personal. Lee wanted to make sure that people know that their customer base is not limited to Columbia County. They are letting all their customers in Multnomah County, Washington County, and others know about the deal. “Even those customers that are not in the Columbia
County food bank area can donate, participate in the program, and then we will donate it all back to the Columbia County food bank,” Lee said. Columbia Pacific Food Bank at work
Marquardt said that TexCo Cleaning reached out to the food bank, and she appreciated their proactive approach. Marquardt noted that sometimes, organizations will host food drives and show up with large quantities of food without communicating that they are doing it. While the food bank always appreciates the donations, Marquardt said that a “heads up” is appreciated for planning purposes so the food bank can accurately keep an inventory of what they have in stock and what food products they need. Marquardt said during regular business hours, on average, the food bank serves between 30 and 50 clients per day. During their evening hours, which are once a week on Wednesdays, the food bank serves anywhere from 10 to 20 families. “Probably anywhere from between 600 to 1,000 families per month that pass through our doors. Sometimes, those are repeat customers, sometimes those are brand new clients,” Marquardt said. “The food bank, just statistically speaking, we distribute anywhere between 12 to 18 tons of food per week throughout Columbia County.” Marquardt said that Columbia Pacific Food Bank
Courtesy photo from Chrissy Marquardt
Chrissy Marquardt, Marketing & Events Director at Columbia Pacific Food Bank with a donation barrel during a past food drive.
may be located in St. Helens, but they distribute food to Scappoose, Rainier, Clatskanie, Vernonia, and other food pantries and partner agencies around Columbia County. Some of the items that Marquardt is hoping will be donated are shelf-stable products. Examples of these would be canned goods or pasta. The food bank will also accept produce and
meat, but there are some limitations. “When we put together our emergency food boxes for our clients, the majority of the items in those boxes are shelf-stable goods. We can accept meat, but it has to be USDA certified,” Marquardt said. “We also accept fresh produce. Please bring your produce to the food bank because we have that free produce area that
is open to the public, and people will come and take those. I would say shelf-stable products, fresh produce, depending on the time of the year, and then meat in that order.” The collection barrel for the drive will be at the Columbia Pacific Food Bank, and as TexCo Cleaning collects items to be donated, they will bring them to the donation site.
Craft in Clatskanie at the Little Red Truck Originally published in The Chief Vol. 132 November 3, 2023 LAUREY WHITE Chief Guest Article
Kristin Strafford and Krystine Rose, owners of the Little Red Truck Design Company, a new business in Clatskanie, have been friends for more than 25 years. And for a great part of that time, they have shared a vision of what they would like to create in a business – an arts and crafts store that would encompass nearly every type of craft. And it all started with a little red truck. Both completely enamored with vintage trucks, particularly red ones, the idea of a shop was borne out of that fondness. It didn’t hurt that Rose had been gifted a vintage red pickup from her grandfather. “I drove it to Rainier High School every day,” Rose said. “And I loved every minute of it. My new dream is to acquire a 1955 International, and park it in front of the store.” As the years progressed the dream shape shifted into, in their words, something
more sophisticated. Stafford’s mom owned a craft shop in Rainier for many years. Sadly, she passed away in 2022. Both ladies had worked in the store for her – truly a labor of love. When they knew it was time to close her beloved mother’s store, the ladies took the brakes off their dream and hit the accelerator. “At first, we were going to do it online,” Rose said. “But then things shifted again. We decided brick and mortar was the way to go, and we called our realtor.” Within a few days they had decided on Clatskanie. And quickly they found the perfect site. The duo sum up their company as warm, creative and inviting, adding that Little Red Truck is a brand that thrives on the spirit of the community and family. “Our audience is a diverse mix of makers, DIY enthusiasts, and those who appreciate the beauty of handmade goods,” Stafford and Rose said. “Our style is friendly, like a chat over coffee with an old friend. We love to share stories about our products, the people who make them and the customers who
Kristin Stafford (left) and Krystine Rose (right) cut the ribbon for the grand opening of their new business.
love them.” “We love the community aspect of Clatskanie,” Stafford said. “And everybody has been so welcoming.” The store is located at 275 E. Columbia River Hwy.
They offer curbside pickup, in-store pickup and in-store shopping. The store is packed full of goodies, just ready to pop into someone’s hands for a winter of crafting while the rains come down. The store will feature
classes in all types of arts and crafts and DIY efforts. Eventually they may add helpful classes such as how to refinish furniture and woodworking. “We have been friends for so many years, and we
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Courtesy photo
are the perfect business partners,” Stafford said. “We took art classes together for six years and have been together for many ups and downs of our lives. We can’t wait to meet our new customers!”