LRMS – Barking Points

With the rapidly approaching holiday season, the spirit of giving is rich in the air. Some organizations, like Second Harvest, are eager to spread joy to others. It is in Second Harvest’s nature to be kind; they generously gave back to the Lind and Ritzville communities this past week. Second Harvest’s “Homegrown Help” mobile food bank reached out to help Lind-Ritzville Middle School students and other locals on Nov. 26, as it does once every month. Second Harvest, in cooperation with Washington State University (WSU) extension and Lind-Ritzville schools, have been feeding local families for several years, and there isn’t a single apple, orange, or pear that goes unappreciated!

Second Harvest is a philanthropic organization that has had a positive effect on the lives of many people. Established in 1971, Second Harvest is a national organization working to relieve hunger throughout America. Second Harvest’s “Homegrown Help” mobile food bank works in the inland northwest by collecting donations of fresh produce and other nutritious perishable items from farmers, grocers, and manufacturers. Then they ship them off in refrigerated trucks to more than 250 food banks across eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Volunteers then distribute the food to low-income families who are in need of food assistance. In the Inland Northwest branch alone, the mobile food bank distributes approximately 1.7 million pounds of food a month, equivalent to 20.4 million pounds annually! When every bite counts, Second Harvest has helped to make a healthier community over the years!

Second Harvest’s “Homegrown Help” mobile food bank spreads its generosity with Lind-Ritzville Middle School once a month in the middle school cafeteria. From 2-3 p.m., students and community members alike are given boxes of wholesome breads, nutritious fruits, and fresh vegetables. The distribution date for December will be announced soon. For more information on how to participate or volunteer, contact WSU extension representative Mikki Kison at 659-3212 or visit their website at, http://www.2-harvest.org.