Mobile Market food distribution

2nd Harvest Mobile Market serves hundreds of veterans, families

By Darrel Maddux

AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

The Mann-Grandstaff VAMC kicked off its annual “Salute to Veteran Patients” Week on Friday, Feb. 12 by hosting a drive-thru food distribution event with 2nd Harvest.

The Mobile Vet Center assisted with the event and performed outreach with information on VA benefits available to veterans.

At the event, 146 families and 438 individuals were served, and 13,540 pounds of meat, produce, dairy, bulk goods, canned goods and baked goods were distributed.

In November 2020, Brian Newberry, retired Colonel and former Commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base and member of Veterans First, applied for a grant from the Bob Woodruff Foundation in response to food insecurity among veterans.

Newberry was granted $10,000 to be used for veteran outreach in the Inland Northwest area and partnered with 2nd Harvest to provide food to veterans. 2nd Harvest finds hosts who pay $2,000 for an event and joins 2nd Harvest in distributing the food.

Five veteran events were held in the Inland Northwest in February and March using the $10,000 grant and this event used one of the $2,000 gifts. 2nd Harvest began in 1971 and receives private/business financial donations, food donations and grants, and is beneficiary of government supported programs.

All food distributed at a Mobile Market event is given out at the event or excess food is given to a food bank. 2nd Harvest distributes donated food to a network of more than 250 partner food banks, meal sites and other programs in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

Food is provided for more than 98,000 meals a day in the Inland Northwest.

Veterans are welcome to go to any 2nd Harvest Mobile Market event and can go to www.2-harvest.org for the Mobile Market calendar.

More veteran focused Mobile Markets will be scheduled and will be noted on the 2nd Harvest website, as well as the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC website, which can be found at www.spokane.va.gov.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Mann-Grandstaff VAMC and 2nd Harvest staff and volunteers distribute food to 146 families and 438 individuals at a drive-thru Mobile Market on Feb. 12.