Subject:  North county Food Bank Volunteer Call – 2009 Salmon Harvest

 Please note this worthy cause below as per Bill Campbell, Food Bank, ODFW, and Darus Peake of Tillamook Bay Boat House.

This will be a huge benefit for our local food bank. It will supply a top source of protein and omega 3s to local folks and families in need, with minimal shipping(carbon footprint), and donated, recyclable packaging by our own local packer.

I hope to see you when the first big rains hit up above the Hatchery. Call or email Bill Campbell or Mike Ehlen with your contact info and to reserve your spot in the line up. Also note: We’ll probably do a little socializing when the gig is
Mike Ehlen
Cell- 503-307-0322
mehlen@nehalemtel.net

                                                                                                           2009 Salmon Harvest

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife contacted Ms. Imie Camelli October 5, 2009, the head mistress of the North County food Bank and asked if she would like some captured salmon to augment their food supplies for the North County area.  The answer was in the affirmative, I volunteered to assist Imie in coordinating the endeavor and here is where we are:

• ODFW captures and kills the fish, peak periods may reach 100-150 fish per hour –
• ODFW operates two sites on the North Fork of the Nehalem River – one at the hatchery and another upstream at the falls – they cannot clean or open the fish -
• They have agreed to a cleaning station above the falls to be operated by volunteers (our biggest need at present) –
• The Tillamook Bay Boathouse, Darus Peake, has agreed to process the fish and to provide totes and a trailer to ice and transport the fish to the cannery in Garibaldi on a daily basis.  The salmon will be processed and canned at cost – funds are being provided by ODFW, the Food Bank and donations are also accepted –
• We are coordinating the process and setup with the County Health Department to ensure that it meets all processed food requirements, Ms Morgan Poloni is the Health Officer on the case –
• We envision the need for teams of volunteers to bring the fish from the capture point to the cleaning station, some 400 meters upstream, and a four person team to feed, clean and ice-pack the cleaned fish.
• Cleaning involves cutting out the gills, guts and bloodline under the spine.  Cleaning extends the process time by 2-3 days; whereas, not cleaning the fish requires cleaning within 10-12 hours maximum –
• The fish will come with the heaver rain and rise in the river level, there are some fish in the river at present, but the peak is anticipated in a week or two, we are hopeful of having several (8) teams of 6 persons each or more –

 If interested in volunteering please contact us at

bcampbell@nehalemtel.net, or 503-368-3134 – we need your name, phone number and email address to record your contribution and to put you on a North County Food Bank volunteer team –  

Thank you, 

Bill Campbell

PS- If you ain’t got the time, how ‘bout a dime?

Hi Pacers,
Yesterday Mike and I took the food we have collected in just two weeks of Manzanita Pace Setters, it amounted to 65 pounds!
The North County Food Bank is thrilled and so are we, great job. Not only are we all taking better care of ourselves we are helping others and having fun to boot!
What more can you ask for?
Well actually since you ask…
When at the North County Food Bank I had the opportunity to meet Tony, she is in charge of The Norht County Clothing Bank, which also takes other house hold items like pots and pans.
So I am now adding to the collection of food any other items you may want to give to others that are in need. You can now bring with you clean folded unwanted clothing, shoes, or kitchen utensils.
Mike and I are happy to take these items with us to the North County Clothing Bank while we are taking the collected food to the North County Food Bank.
Thank you for you participation and please call me if you have any comments or questions about this program or the MPS club.
warm regards,
Janice