DJ keeps truckin' for food banks
June 13, 2008 · Updated 10:54 AM
By JODY ALLARD
Staff writer
A Mayflower parked in Federal Way this month isnt bearing any pilgrims, but it will bring help to thousands of Washington residents.
As part of a promotion to collect donations for Northwest Harvest, morning show DJ Bender from Seattle radio station KISS 106.1 will live on top of an 18-wheeler Mayflower moving truck for as long as it takes to fill the 50-foot truck full of donated food.
The truck is in the Top Foods parking lot at 31515 20th S., next to Wal-Mart.
Termed Thanksgiving on the Mayflower, all items received will be donated to Northwest Harvest, for distribution to 300 food banks statewide.
Although the Federal Way food bank is not part of Northwest Harvest, food banks in Des Moines, Highline, Kent and Auburn will benefit from the radio promotion.
Filling the truck full of an estimated 40,000 to 45,000 pounds of food is no easy task, but Northwest Harvest administrators say they are confident that King County residents will rise to the challenge.
Benders crazy. But we love it Ñ were not complaining, said Northwest Harvest special events manager Jean Allenbach. I have complete confidence. When you ask people to help out, no matter what their situation is, they really do respond. They just need to know how to help.
The promotion couldnt come at a better time for local food banks. An estimated one out of every five families in Washington visited a food bank last year. With donations to Northwest Harvest down 30 percent this year, its been an uphill battle to ensure that no one is turned away empty handed.
Although the organizations policy is never to deny anyone in need of help, faltering donations combined with increased need have put a financial pinch on Northwest Harvest.
When times are tough, we have to make do like anyone else and just ration out the food we have to distribute more, said Allenbach. This will be a heck of a lot of food. It will really stock the shelves.
Its not only the quantity of donations that food bank administrators say makes them ecstatic over the Thanksgiving on the Mayflower promotion, but the opportunity to obtain a variety of foods as well.
Whats really great about this is that we buy things in bulk like rice and beans. What this brings in is all the variety of foods, said Allenbach. Its really nice to get that variety of stuff coming in.
Armed with a tent, radio equipment and a few other necessities, Bender said he wont go home until the truck is full of food. Even missing his son Jordans third birthday Monday, the first day of the event, hasnt dissuaded Bender from his goal.
More information on the promotion or volunteer opportunities available with Northwest Harvest is available at (206) 625-0755.
Staff writer Jody Allard can be reached at 925-5565 and jallard@fedwaymirror.com
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