Herschel “Perk” Perkins grew up in a farming family and understood the value of a meal earned, the importance of sharing what you had and the wise investment in a job well done. After Perk’s passing, his family honored his belief and his teachings by establishing a fund that combines his loves of agriculture and reading in support of Read ‘n’ Feed at Pendleton Community Public Library.
Once each week, the library is transformed from a quiet space for reading or studying into a place where patrons can stock the cabinet for the week and stretch their budget to make ends meet.
There aren’t any complicated requirements, or any barriers that could cause discouragement. Just a name, address, and the desire to choose what your household needs for the week. Those who attend may select ten items, plus fresh bread and produce when available.
A senior deciding between groceries or medication. A family navigating an unexpected hardship. A parent trying to stretch their paycheck to cover everyone. Each person walks through those doors with a story, and they walk out with reassurance that their community cares about then.
In our small town, stories don’t just live in books. Those stories live in people, memories, and sometimes even in quiet acts of generosity that make impacts on generations to come. That’s what Read ‘n’ Feed represents. A demonstration of legacy, it represents the values Perk lived by - community, generosity, and care.