Donations top 4,000 pounds
The competitive food drive between two Kent law firms couldn’t have come at a better time for the downtown Kent Food Bank.
Employees from Hanis Irvine Prothero and Curran Law Firm brought in 4,527 pounds of food Friday as part of the fourth-annual Kent Food Bank Challenge between the two firms.
“Donations are going down and the number of clients is going up,” said Jeniece Choate, executive director of the food bank. “But food drives really help keep us on track.”
Hanis Irvine Prothero won the competition for the third time. The firm ran an inter-office competition as well, to help bring in even more donations.
“It’s a friendly competition for a good cause,” said Annette Bolster, a paralegal at Hanis Irvine Prothero, who helped organize the food drive, as she watched the items delivered Friday to the food bank. “We started to do it at the end of summer so that food is on the shelves for fall and winter.”
Applesauce, tuna, spaghetti sauce and many other items were dropped off by several vehicles from the two law firms at the food bank, 515 W. Harrison St.
“We started about two weeks ago, but the last couple of days we really got into it,” Bolster said. “We divided into two teams for an inter-office competition.”
Members of the Curran Law Firm donated money and then sent three employees out for a shopping spree at WinCo Foods in Kent.
“People asked us about who we were shopping for,” said Susie Paepke, an administrative assistant with Curran, who participated on the shopping trip. “When we told them it was for the food bank, they were very appreciative.”
Hanis Irvine Prothero hosted a lunch Friday for employees of both law firms as part of the contest.
The downtown food bank is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday as well as from 5 to 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month.
Clients may visit the Kent Food Bank once per month (either at its downtown location or at the Springwood Apartments on the East Hill, 12961 S.E. 275th St.) for food and government commodities. Bread and perishables are available on a weekly basis.
A steady flow of people lined up for food Friday at the food bank as the two law firms delivered box after box of items.
“It’s great,” Choate said of the large donation. “Competitions usually bring out the most food. For us, it’s a win-win situation.”
When told that more than 4,000 pounds had been donated by the two law firms, Choate had a quick response.
“That’s a good food drive,” she said.
For more information, call the Kent Food Bank at 253-520-3550.
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