EVENTS HAPPENING IN YOUR AREA.
NEW PARTNERSHIPS, VOLUNTEERS, FEEDING SENIORS, MOBILE MARKET – MARCH 31
A SURGE IN NEED
Second Harvest’s partner food pantries are reporting a 30-50% increase in visits for food assistance over the last two weeks. As more people lose income due to business closures, more people are seeking food assistance from their local food pantries. That means Second Harvest must source more food to meet the increasing demand during a time when the supply chain is experiencing several disruptions due to COVID-19.
Read more about the growing need in the Tri-Cities here.
PARTNERSHIP WITH SPOKANE FOOD FIGHTERS
Second Harvest kicked off its partnership with Spokane Food Fighters this week. Second Harvest will supply up to 125 emergency food boxes each day to Spokane Food Fighters, whose volunteers will deliver them to people who can’t leave their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Food boxes will include about 15 pounds of assorted fresh and non-perishable items, providing food for approximately 12 meals. This program serves people within the city of Spokane. Read more about the partnership here.
“STAY HOME, STAY HEALTHY”
On March 30, the Washington State Department of Agriculture released a letter affirming that hunger-relief volunteers and staff are performing essential services that are permitted to continue during the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” proclamation period. Second Harvest remains open and continues to seek volunteers to help get critical food supplies to people who need them during the COVID-19 crisis. Sign up for a shift here.
FEEDING SENIORS
Seniors are at higher-risk for COVID-19 complications and therefore are especially avoiding trips to the food bank or grocery store right now. Second Harvest is bringing food right to seniors to help maintain their health and safety. On March 30, our Mobile Market bus rolled up to the Vintage at Spokane senior apartments to bring 120 residents a mix of fresh and nonperishable foods. The residents were grateful not only for the food but also for not having to leave their homes to restock their pantries. Later today, the bus will deliver food to residents of Appleway Court, a senior apartment complex in Spokane Valley.
MOBILE MARKET
To protect the health and safety of the people we serve and our volunteers, we are facilitating all large Mobile Market events in a drive-thru style. This distribution method has been going very smoothly and allows all event participants to comply with social distancing recommendations. Below are some photos of yesterday’s Mobile Market event in Kennewick.
To sign up to receive our updates to COVID-19 via email, please click here.
How to Host a Fundraiser – September 22
Looking for a fun way to celebrate your birthday, company event or holiday? Hosting a fundraiser for Second Harvest is easy and makes an impact. You can raise funds online or host a food drive in person. We’ll give you the tools to get set up, share your event and start collecting. Every dollar donated makes a difference for neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
Serving Those Who Serve Our Country – September 15
Steve and his wife both retired from the Army, and he also spent time as a civil engineer in the Navy. His career has been a life of service to our country. Today, he is a member of the civilian workforce at Fairchild Air Force Base.
With economics the way they are today, Steve accesses Second Harvest Mobile Market free food distributions on base.
Naturally cheery, Steve manages a smile even when he explains “Times are hard.” Simultaneously, he proudly adds, “We have two kids, 13 and 14. They eat like crazy and are growing like mad.”
Back to School with Bite2Go – September 8
Bite2Go is a weekend food program for students facing chronic food shortages at home. Bite2Go gives children access to a mix of nutritious, nonperishable and ready-to-eat meals and snacks for the weekend, helping kids return to school ready to learn on Mondays. At the heart of the program is the adoptive organization. Bite2Go relies on businesses, churches and civic groups to “adopt” a school, and through that engagement and funding model, provide students with food for the weekends through the school year.
Feeding Eastern Washington and North Idaho
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