Bring your recyclables to a new drive through collection at Peace Lutheran Church on the last Saturday of every month, rain or shine, from 9am until noon. Peace has joined in with the Lake Wildwood Citizens Who Care, a Community Service Organization, that has sourced a processor for recyclables that pays more for this waste.

The Peace drive-through recyclables drop off, in its large parking lot off West Main Street, will further support those in our community in need. All proceeds from this recycling effort will benefit the Interfaith Food Ministry (IFM) in Nevada County. Already a strong supporter of IFM, both in volunteer and fundraising participation, Peace has found a way to mine “gold in garbage” for more support to IFM with a collection of specific recyclables. Clean and dry recyclables accepted are:

  • CRV (California Redemption Value) beverage containers
    • Aluminum cans
    • Plastic water bottles and beverage containers
    • Glass wine, liquor and beer bottles (no judgement!)
  • Any plastic containers with a recycling triangle of 1, 2 or 5• Type 1, 2 and 5 plastic containers. Look for the triangle with the number inside on the bottom of the plastic containers to find the type of plastic. Sometimes you may need a magnifying glass to see it, they are so small!
    • Type 1 plastic containers: syrup bottles, plastic egg cartons, clear plastic candy containers, coffee creamer  bottles, some vitamin bottles. 
    • Type 2 plastic containers: milk cartons, some vitamin and pill bottles, detergent containers, even toothpaste  tubes. 
    • Type 5 plastic containers: margarine tubs, cold cuts containers, plastic lids on plastic containers. 
  • You may also donate paper and plastic grocery bags as well as cardboard egg cartons which are given to the Inter faith Food Ministry food closet 

New Federal cuts will greatly affect Nevada County’s food banks including IFM. At a town hall meeting earlier this summer hosted by Nevada County Community Forum, Executive Director of IFM, Phil Alonzo, provided an excellent summary of what IFM does, who they serve, what it costs, what are IFM’s funding sources and what are the current challenges, especially with those new Federal cuts. Julie Thornbury, former Executive Director of the Food Bank of Nevada County (NFCB) outlined the even larger challenges that organization faces. Cuts in NFCB’s funding mean less availability of foodstuffs at that organization, which increases demand at IFM.

Our food banks are battling uphill against food insecurity in Nevada County. One of the most impactful insights provided by the Directors of these food banks is that food insecurity is not just about having enough to eat, but that it impacts every aspect of someone’s life. It is also often hidden from view. Hunger is about satisfying a basic human need; everything in life after that is a struggle when all month long it is known that there might not be enough to feed your family or even yourself. Food Insecurity creates an overall mentality of scarcity in life. We already know that insufficient nutrition affects learning in children.

IFM is constantly looking to provide ways for long-term solutions. They are not just feeding the homeless; only 7-8% of their patrons do not have an address. Seniors as patrons have risen to 35% of those served since Covid. IFM also supports Hospitality House as the “grocery store” where it shops first, as well as Gold Country Seniors and Bright Futures for Youth. IFM’s annual budget is $1,000,000 (this is up from $600,000 due to costs). Grants in the past have provided 20% = $200,000! The impact of lost HUD and FEMA federal grants is already being felt and more cuts are expected from the County and State.

Help Peace help IFM and our community. You will be surprised how many of your recyclables can be turned to cash to feed others! Recyclables will only be accepted on the last Saturday of each month at the parking lot drive-by from 9am until noon; there will be no storage at the church. Peace Lutheran Church is located at 828 W. Main Street in Grass Valley up the hill from the historic Downtown. For questions regarding this program contact Peace member Chuck Bloom at chuckbloom@aol.com. Peace hopes that other organizations will promote this and join in their support.