SOME OF OUR FAVORITE LOCAL STORIES.
Feeding Hope: Sharon’s Story
For Sharon, the food distributions at Mead Food Bank help solve two problems: affording the basics on a tight budget and keeping herself safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A trip to the grocery store brings Sharon layers of stress. At 68, her retirement income is much smaller than it was during her two decades working as a City of Spokane employee. Her age also puts her at elevated risk for COVID-19 complications.
“These distributions have really been helpful. It keeps me from having to not only spend the money but also from going around a bunch of people for just the basics,” she said.
“These distributions have really been helpful. It keeps me from having to not only spend the money but also from going around a bunch of people for just the basics.”
Before the pandemic, Sharon had never visited a food bank before. Now, she’s not only using the food to help herself through this time but also sharing it with family and neighbors who could use a boost. She often shares the food she receives with her son, a father to three kids and a small business owner, as he’s seen his income drop significantly during the pandemic. Neighbors who’ve been hit hard by the crisis also are grateful for the food Sharon shares. “I don’t let any of it go to waste,” she said.
“For somebody that doesn’t have a lot of money or is no longer getting a paycheck, these are crucial for them. They’re so wonderful.”
As she waited in the long line of cars for the distribution to begin, Sharon expressed gratitude for the people who made the event possible. “Thank you very much. It’s very appreciated—I think probably by everybody that comes here. But I know I appreciate it, and the people I have shared it with really appreciate it,” she said. “I just think that this is a blessing. It really is.”
Food Safety First: – April 19
In January and March, AIB International conducted audits of our facilities – the Pasco Distribution Center, the Spokane Distribution Center and the Wolff Family Child Hunger Solution Center. As has been the case for more than a decade, we received scores of 930 or higher, out of a possible 1000. Anything above 900 is considered exemplary.
While receiving high scores from AIB is important, we are equally proud of the fact that any day of the year, our team is always working to keep our buildings clean and our food supply safe. This speaks to the strong food safety culture we have here at Second Harvest.
A celebration of our volunteers – April 12
Volunteering doesn’t have to be a one-time thing and the individuals who volunteer at Second Harvest in Spokane and Pasco have proven that in many ways. Even though April is nationally recognized as Volunteer Month, our gratitude for your service is year-round. In the last couple of years, the Volunteer Center in Spokane has gone through various changes and adjustments to keep up with the increase in food demand, prompted first by COVID in 2020 and then by inflation. Even with the changes, our volunteer support has stayed and become even stronger. Our community is filled with mission-driven individuals to help us feed, nourish and build the community around us.
In The Kitchen: Food Waste Prevention Week – April 5
Earth Month is the perfect opportunity to reflect on our habits and how they impact the planet. We might think about how often we drive and take advantage of the nicer weather to bike to work, or maybe even grab some friends and family and find a river cleanup event for Earth Day. But did you know that you can make an impact without even leaving your house? In fact, reflecting on our cooking and grocery shopping habits has the potential to have a greater and long-lasting impact on our environment.
Feeding Eastern Washington and North Idaho
Copyright 2020 Second Harvest. All rights reserved.
