SPOKANE, Wash. – A donation of over 1,000 cases of milk to Second Harvest is helping the growing number of people relying on food banks in the Inland Northwest.
Second Harvest said inflation and rising costs of living are major factors that cause more working people to rely on food banks, and it’s seeing empty shelves because of it.
The nonprofit said about 90% of the food it distributes comes from donations and big donations are a huge boost to help serve the 26 counties it works with.
Already, many cases of donated milk have been distributed to people in need.
“There’s a lot of need out there right now and when we can get ahold of donated great food like this high protein, wonderful milk, we’re really happy and appreciative of it,” said Second Harvest’s Eric Williams.
The 24 pallets of milk come from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The church has a long-running partnership with Second Harvest.
The church said it means a lot to be able to make a difference in its community through this donation.
“We just give them a call because we know that they can get it quick,” said Kata Dean with the church. “Milk has a quick expiration and we want to keep it fresh and these guys can move it fast.”
Second Harvest said it especially appreciates produce donations because it means there’s health foods to distribute to its partners, a task that has proven more challenging recently.
According to Feeding America, about 13% of Spokane County is food insecure and that is part of why Second Harvest has more empty shelves.
“Don’t be shy about going to a food bank,” Williams said. “It’s perfectly fine to go to your food bank. I know some people are a little bit reluctant to do so but please access the food banks or our mobile markets.”
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