Partners Inland Northwest celebrates serving 75 years in Spokane Valley

 

In April, Partners Inland Northwest celebrated 35 years as a nonprofit, but 1990 was "just a waypoint for the journey that began 75 years ago in 1951," said Cal Coblenz, CEO.

"After four decades of grassroots service, the organization became a nonprofit to ensure that neighborly compassion could continue to gather the support necessary to grow as Spokane grew," he said.

The agency continues to grow in serving hungry families and providing clothing, giving nearly a ton of clothing each week to children, families and folks who live outdoors.

Its diaper bank helps parents and babies in 19 counties across Eastern Washington and North Idaho, Cal reported.

"As we blow out the candles, we're asking for 75 for our 75th—gifts of $75 in honor of our 75 years of collective service to make a difference in our neighbors' lives," he appealed. "This spring we need to raise an additional $75,000 to help more people. The first $10,000 has come in, leaving $65,000."

Partners began when 10 Protestant churches formed the United Church Welfare of Spokane in 1951 as a collaborative church effort to care for needy people. In 1952, they moved into the Perry Building in Opportunity, as a commissary for storing clothing and canned goods. As the cost for the space rose, they donated the clothing to Goodwill.

United Church Welfare arranged discounts for people who are in need to buy clothing from Goodwill until 1960, when a volunteer-run clothing bank was opened at Opportunity Presbyterian Church one day a month.

In the winter of 1971, a teen from Spokane Valley United Methodist Church saw that seniors needed meals and the idea grew into Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels. The Food Bank opened in 1972 at the United Methodist Church.

​In 1981, the United Church Welfare of Spokane Valley changed its name to Valley Shared Ministries. In 1987, the Rev. Jacqueline Dickson, Sister Meg Sass, Carol Allen and two student groups from Inter-Collegiate Center of Nursing Education did a door-to-door assessment of community needs.

In 1988, the Guild from All Saints Episcopal Church began managing the Clothing Bank that was open the same day each week as the Food Bank.

​A task force in 1989 incorporated the services of Valley Meals on Wheels, the Clothing Bank and the Food Bank as The Spokane Valley Center. It became tax-exempt in 1990.

Space was dedicated in 1991 at 11922 E. First Ave., providing Spokane Valley with one center serving the needs of low-income, needy families.

​In 2001, Spokane Valley Center moved to its current location at 10814 E. Broadway Ave., and in 2007, it was renamed Spokane Valley Partners.

For information, call 927-1153 or email info@partnersinw.org.