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Wash. Photo by Donna Miranda
Construction will begin this year on a new building.
By Lora Marini Baker
The Salvation Army is expanding its services in Walla Walla, Wash., with a new building to include a larger food bank, additional space for a community kitchen and case management offices.
The project, scheduled to begin construction this year, is in its final phase of fundraising. To date, 85 percent of the cost has been contributed by local donors and funding agencies.
“We’ve received several generous gifts from leaders in the Walla Walla community during the last year,” said Major Douglas Tollerud, Northwest divisional commander. “Now, we need just a bit more to make the new food bank a reality.”
Despite its small size, the food bank currently serves 628 families per month. The new facility—at almost 4,000 square feet—will be 10 times the size of the current space. It will allow for better storage and larger provisions, and opportunities like cooking lessons in the community kitchen.
“Some of the fresh produce available to clients may be fruits or vegetables they haven’t cooked with in the past,” Tollerud said. “If we can teach them how to cook butternut squash, for example, they will be more likely to use the produce they receive from us.”
The Salvation Army has provided services to members of this community since 1892, including more than 7,932 families in 2012. In addition to the food bank, other programs include emergency assistance for rent and utility bills, back to school backpacks and school supplies, summer camps for kids and teens, and holiday programs that include meals, food baskets and toy donations.
Donations may be made online via donate.salvationarmyusa.org (specify for the Walla Walla food bank).
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