King County’s Facilities Management Division delivered boxes of dehydrated soup mix, cereal, assorted snacks, and other items to the Kent Food Bank on Wednesday.
The food had been stored at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent in the event that inmates and staff had to shelter in place at the facility due to Green River flooding, according to a King County media release. The “use-by” dates were approaching, so the facilities division chose to donate the food so that it could be used before the dates passed.
“We are pleased to make this delivery to the Kent Food Bank,” said Facilities Management Director Kathy Brown. “There are many people in need in our community, and by donating these items prior to their ‘use-by’ date, we are able to both be a good neighbor and ensure that this food goes to good use.”
“The demand for food assistance is high and donations like this are vital to meet the needs of our community,” said Jeniece Choate, executive director of the Kent Food Bank. “Especially for our homeless clients, non-perishable food items such as dehydrated foods, snacks, and easy-open food are perfect items for the food bank to distribute.”
Camico Rivon, the warehouse coordinator for the Kent Food Bank, added, “This donation comes at a great time as kids are out of school and the need for food is increasing.”
Food items donated on Wednesday would have expired before the next flood season. County staff will work through the summer to assess the flood threat from the Green River based on information they receive from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and will ensure that sufficient emergency supplies are available at the Maleng Regional Justice Center for the flood season this coming fall and winter.
King County chose the Kent Food Bank because it is located just blocks from the Maleng Regional Justice Center.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
