A NEVER-ENDING BOWL-A-THON FOR THE HUNGRY

BY DAVE WILLIAMS

It’s hard to believe that an area as beautiful as Siskiyou County and the small town of Yreka could ever become a profile of poverty, hunger and food assistance.

But despite California’s economic and agricultural prosperity, more than one in four are at risk of hunger in the area near the base of Mount Shasta. So says Laura Leach, president and executive director of the Siskiyou Community Food Bank.

“We focus on assisting the needs of those in Siskiyou County and provide food to individuals and families,” explains Leach. “We are a food bank hub and distribute food to other local non-profit charitable organizations for their food needs as well.”

What does all of this have to do with bowling? During the COVID-19 crisis, the bowling center tenant at the corner of Kegler Lane and Payne Lane decided not to renew their lease because of all the uncertainty California businesses were facing.

“The bowling center was actually in the same building as our offices,” notes Leach. “I decided to approach the Food Bank Board of Directors about the possibility of operating the bowling center as a nonprofit.”

Under the unique arrangement presented by Leach, all the money collected, over and above expenses, at Yreka Lanes would become a donation to the Food Bank. Her background as a 25-year employee of Health and Human Services in Siskiyou County had a lot to do with the vision for and ultimate success of the project, as she had become an expert in policies and procedures, as well as writing grants.

“My father, Willis Thompson (who passed away earlier this year), was an avid bowler and past president of the board,” Leach says. “He really pushed for this to become a reality, and it happened.”

Now, Leach carries both the president and executive director titles, and her work not only benefits the hungry, but also honors the legacy of her father.

Some of the unheard-of concepts that Leach and her team have offered to the public include:

• If a family can’t afford to pay for bowling, “we ask that they give what they can.”

• If a family can’t afford the additional cost for rental shoes, “we [don’t charge] them.”

• If a family can’t afford the additional cost for a burger, “we give it to them.”

Just three years after taking over the operation of the bowling center, many renovations are underway.

“In 2023, we received our beer and wine permit,” says Leach, “and our new game room will be open [this month] with billiards, air hockey and Foosball.”

Along with all of that, Leach reports that the lanes have been upgraded with a new scoring system, as well as new automated bumper guards.

“Most of the old bumper guards are broken, so we are really looking forward to the new automated system,” she says.

Many local partners in the community have committed to the efforts of the Food Bank, including Raley’s Supermarket of Yreka, which makes a daily donation of “day old” goods to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

“That’s the primary ingredient for 50 pounds of groceries that are delivered once a month to families in need,” says Leach.

In addition to Raley’s Supermarket of Yreka, Leach cites other sponsors that have assisted with the program, including food-rescue partners Dollar General, Grocery Outlet of Yreka, Papa Murphy’s Pizza and Rite Aid of Yreka.

Despite all their efforts and willingness to help, the issues of poverty, hunger and food assistance remain a constant battle for the Siskiyou Community Food Bank.

“So many people, from children to vets, are affected by this matter,” says Leach.

But she has found a unique way to help by using a resurrected destination for fun as a place that also serves those in need. You could say that Yreka’s bowling destination now hosts a never-ending bowl-a-thon for the hungry.