This is the time of year when local food banks receive a great deal of support that goes directly to their local communities.
Your donations are essential toward keeping food on the shelves for local needy families throughout the county. However, people need food assistance year around, not just during the holidays.
Hunger in the United States is at one of its highest points in history. Our region has endured extremely high unemployment rates for many years and we hold the negative distinction of an unbearably high number of citizens living below the poverty rate as compared statewide and nationally. Friends, neighbors, senior citizens, families, children and those without families are in dire need for food assistance.
Consider monetary donations
Anthony Airhart is the Executive Director of Coastal Harvest, the food bank distribution center, serving over 50 food banks, senior centers, feeding programs and five Native American Tribes in Grays Harbor, Pacific, Lewis, Thurston, Mason, Jefferson and Wahkiakum Counties.
He is extremely grateful for support they receive from local residents to the food banks; however, he believes monetary donations go far greater in supporting food distribution centers and food banks. “People feel more like they are feeding people when they give food but cash goes further and food banks have expenses to maintain a building etc.”
A one dollar donation can be stretched into the purchase power of up to four dollars benefitting many more families and people. Your cash donation can assist in paying the overhead, keeping the local food bank open so residents don’t have to travel to another area farther away to obtain food for their family.
Chuck Wallace is the Deputy Director of Grays Harbor Emergency Management.