Our Mission
Feeding and caring for the Methow Valley Community while honoring and respecting one another at difficult times in our lives.
The Cove came into existence when Methow Valley resident and former school teacher, Glenn Schmekel, went through a period of soul searching in his mid-50s. Glenn considered himself a spiritual man. One day while taking a walk, he said he felt a divine presence that led him to ask, “How can we help our neighbors in need?” There were no active food banks then, so he launched The Cove. The Cove opened its doors as the Methow Valley Food Bank on April 23rd, 1998. The Cove began by providing short-term assistance of supplemental food to individuals and families of the Methow Valley, and in 2000, The Cove achieved its non-profit 501(C)3 tax status.
The Aid and Assistance Fund commenced in February of 2001 when The Cove board agreed to expand its area of outreach to include emergency, short-term financial assistance.
And as time marched on, new programs emerged under the guidance and operation of The Cove.
The Guardian Angels program was launched and created a mission to match volunteers to those in the Methow Valley community who want to remain in their homes but risk becoming socially or physically isolated. Methow at Home now runs this program. Learn more at: https://methowathome.clubexpress.com/
The birth of The Cove Golf Classic started in 2003 as a primary fundraising event. One of the cornerstones for The Cove Food Bank and its affiliated programs is usually played on the third Saturday in July. A 4-person scramble event, team slots are limited to 16, and applications are available by calling or emailing The COVE. Applications must be submitted by July 5th each year, and teams are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are available beginning on April 15th of each year.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors came into existence to make the holidays a bit brighter during a time of year that can be more stressful than joyous for those in need. This program provides holiday baskets and supplemental food to families and individuals in the Methow Valley.
The Methow Valley Manger Mall is modeled after a similar program in the neighboring community of Chelan. The annual Christmas gift program enables families to shop for affordable gifts for children ages infant to 18.
The Friday Food Program is the most recent, launching in 2015. The intention is to supplement food for students in the Methow Valley school district to get them through the weekends.
You can read more about these programs by clicking on the links at the left of the page.
The Cove is funded entirely through private & public donations, grants, and fundraising events.
