On Tuesday, Carrie and Bob jumped into their car, safely masked and gloved, to aid in the distribution of much needed produce to local area food banks, schools, and community outreach centers. The organization that jump-started this amazing volunteer effort is called EastWest Food Rescue, whose mission is to trade food and supplies between communities in Eastern and Western Washington State.
This non-profit organization is galvanizing an incredible effort to bring thousands of pounds of produce from Eastern Washington that would otherwise have gone unused, to greater Puget Sound communities in need. This effort brings cash donations and much needed supplies to food banks and other organizations in Eastern Washington, in trade for produce to help food banks and elementary school food programs in Western Washington.
This incredible, all-volunteer organization has organized food caravans to help transport the tons of surplus potatoes, apples and onions from farms in Othello to Woodinville’s Farmer Frog, where the food will be bagged and distributed. The amazing volunteers drove their own trucks from Redmond, WA. and back (many while out of work themselves) as part of this generous cause. EastWest Food Rescue is then helping to facilitate the purchase of food and supplies to assist communities on the East side of Washington.
Volunteers are still greatly needed. There are several ways that you can get involved. If you would like to sign up to help bag and package the produce at Paradise Farm in Woodinville, email erika@farmerfrog.org or sign up here. (Farmer Frog sites follow strict COVID-19 guidelines. All volunteers are required to wear gloves and masks at all times and follow social distancing guidelines.)
If you have a truck and would like to join the rescue caravan and transport produce, click here to notify the team. Rescue caravans leave from Redmond, WA. and venture over Snoqualmie Pass to Othello, Washington. You must have a pickup truck or larger open bed tuck and trailer.
To donate to East West Food Rescue, click here.
If you would like to sign up to help deliver bagged produce to local area food banks, grade school food programs and other organizations, sign up here.
This amazing effort to support Washington State farmers, their employees, and communities in need across our state is the perfect way to give back at this epic time of need.
Visit the EastWest Food Rescue Facebook Page for updates.
~Jen
