The Spokesman-Review to host 11th Annual Food Drive June 9
Thousands of disadvantaged members of our community have to make a troubling decision with alarming regularity – to eat or pay the bills. When school lets out for the summer this problem looms large for families in need. In fact, of the 15,000 served by Spokane County’s 21 emergency food banks each month, 42 percent are children under age 17.
On Saturday, June 9, The Spokesman-Review and 2nd Harvest Inland Northwest will collaborate for the newspaper’s 11th Annual Food Drive. Rod Wieber, 2nd Harvest Inland Northwest’s Director of Donor and Community Relations, tells us that last year’s efforts helped collect nearly 55,000 pounds of food for the less fortunate in our community.
“People that turn to our food banks find hope and encouragement beyond the nourishment they need for their family,” said Wieber. “The gift of food changes lives and gives people an opportunity to succeed and thrive.”
Today (Wednesday, June 6) look for a magenta-colored donation bag with your copy of pinch or The Spokesman-Review. Fill your bag with nonperishable foods that will provide hungry members of our community with the protein, fruits, vegetables and grains to help keep them healthy this summer. Specifically, items such as peanut butter, canned meats (ham, chicken and tuna), hearty soups, macaroni and cheese, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed mashed potatoes, dried fruits, pasta, oatmeal and healthy cereals are most useful.
On Friday evening, June 8, place your Food Drive bag where your carrier delivers your pinch or morning Spokesman-Review. On Saturday morning, June 9, your bag will be collected. According to Spokesman-Review Home Delivery Manager Bill Fuzak, approximately 400 carriers and 80 volunteers will collect your contributions this year, all of which go directly to your neighborhood food bank. All food collected in each county remains in that county.
If your bag has not been collected by noon on June 9, or you do not have a bag but would like to contribute, please bring non-perishable food donations to any fire station in Spokane County. For additional donation options, visit 2nd Harvest’s Web site, www.2-harvest.org.
“Every pound of food we distribute in the community – from a fresh apple to a can of green beans – only happens because people choose to make a difference,” said Wieber.
The Spokesman-Review, 2nd Harvest Inland Northwest and the Community Food Banks of Cheney, Chewelah, Coeur d’Alene, Colfax, Colville, Hayden Lake, Kettle Falls, Medical Lake, Post Falls and Pullman thank you for your support.