AGENCY SPOTLIGHT: COLFAX COUNCIL ON AGING & HUMAN SERVICES
Author: Elias Piña
Nestled in a valley of wheat-covered hills and at a fork in the Palouse River sits the quiet town of Colfax, Washington. Colfax boasts a storied heritage rooted in agriculture. And with a population of just under 3,000 residents, it is the seat of Whitman County. The highway leading into town gives way to a historic Main Street, lined with classic brick buildings sporting flags of the local university favorite, Washington State University. This picturesque part of downtown Colfax is where the Council on Aging and Human Services can be found.
The Council on Aging (COA) and Human Services once operated out of a smaller room in Colfax’s 210 South Main Street address. Through the help of grants from the USDA and WSDA, COA Human Services purchased the entire building, allowing for an expansion of operations. Current programs include a food pantry, a home-delivery meal service and onsite meals. They also offer transportation and mobility services in a 9-county service area in Washington and Idaho.

Executive Director Paige Collins (Left) with Food Bank Manager, Gail McNeilly (Right)
With the help of bi-monthly food pickups at the Second Harvest Spokane Distribution Center and support from other organizations, the staff of COA Human Services stock their pantry shelves with healthy, nutritious food for clients. COA Human Services’ food pantry is set up to mirror a grocery store featuring shelves lined with beverages, canned goods and breads. Refrigerators and freezers are filled with fresh produce and dairy. Clients walk through the pantry with a grocery cart and select the food they would like to bring home while volunteers assist in filling the clients’ carts. As the volunteers load up the grocery carts, they encourage clients to take nutritious food and provide clients with cooking instructions featuring wholesome recipes.

COA Volunteers
Although there have been some changes in expansion and service due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, one thing that hasn’t changed for the Council on Aging is their commitment to enhancing lives while supporting the community with transportation and nutrition services throughout Whitman County.
“Not only do we provide nutrition and transportation services, we pride ourselves on being a resource ‘hub’ for folks for anything really! We know who to call or where to start at least for any needs our community members bring to us.”
Interested in learning more about Council on Aging?

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