YAKIMA, Wash. — Food insecurity is hitting many locals hard, but the Yakima Rotary Food Bank said they’ve received a big donation that’s going to help hundreds of local families.
U.S. Cellular donated $5,000 dollars worth of food — about 1,600 items – Thursday as part of their efforts to give back to the community during the holiday season.
“We have everything from peanut butter to cereals, rice and beans, anything that will help create a warm meal for recipients,” said Lindsey hicks, local marketing manager with U.S. Cellular.
The donations came just in time for the the holidays, where many loved ones gather to eat, laugh and celebrate. U.S. Cellular retail area sales manager Vanessa Leija said that’s why it’s so important to make sure everyone has food to put on the table.
“And so for us to be able to make this donation and know that it’s going to impact you know, so many people in Yakima is huge,” Leija said. “So we’re very, very grateful for the opportunity to be here.”
Yakima Rotary Food Bank administrator Ken Jones said they’re grateful for the help and the donations from U.S. Cellular
“It helps, every little bit we can get,” Jones said. “Donations have been a little hard to come by lately.”
With an uncertain economy and high food costs, that means the food bank’s seeing more people than ever coming to them for help, but not getting all the support they need to help them.
“Our numbers are up and, interestingly, they’re higher now than they were during the peak of COVID,” Jones said. “I think there’s a lot of uncertainty right now.”
But thanks to donations from community members, from businesses like U.S. Cellular and the more than 30 volunteers who regularly show up to sort and distribute those donations, the food bank is able to help everyone be a little less certain.
The Yakima Rotary Food Bank typically sees anywhere from 600 to more than 700 families every Friday between 8:30 a.m. and noon, which is when they do their food distribution at 703 Central Ave.
Jones said no one should be ashamed about coming to the food bank because everyone needs a little help from time to time.
“That’s why we don’t ask questions,” Jones said. “You don’t have to justify being here.”
There’s no I.D. needed or personal questions. Anyone who shows up to receive food is just asked how many people are in their household to determine how much food they need and whether they’ve been to the food bank before, so they can keep track of the needs of the community.
Jones said they need all the help they can get. Anyone wanting to donate money can do so online at yakimarotaryfoodbank.org. People can set up a time to bring food donations by calling 509-853-8918 or emailing [email protected].
“We’re just glad to be here to serve the community and thankful for all the support that we do get,” Jones said. “It’s been great.”
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