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Rich soils, diverse climates and large-scale irrigation make eastern Washington one of the most productive agricultural areas in the Northwest. In this abundant region known for apples, pears, onions and potatoes, it’s hard to imagine families, especially those in rural communities, who are struggling to put food on their tables. With rising costs, many people are finding themselves with more month than money left over to care for their families.

Dozens of cars wait in line at the local church in Pomeroy, Washington, winding through several parking lot rows. Brenda, who is in her mid-60s, is here for Second Harvest’s Mobile Market, one of more than 400 free food distribution sites across eastern Washington and northern Idaho. The mission of Second Harvest is to help people in need by supplying charitable food through a network of partner food banks and meal sites across the Inland Northwest.

“I never thought about using a food bank or this mobile market before,” Brenda says, “until we got so desperate that I needed to. Right now, we have to decide between gas and food, and it’s been a really, really tough go. That’s why I’m so grateful for the variety of fresh food here that I can use to cook dinners and make it through the month.”

Second Harvest Mobile Market distributions are staffed by local, hard-working volunteers, many in rural communities. These helpers stage setup, pack boxes, direct traffic and welcome their neighbors with a smile as they load boxes into their vehicles. More than 250 households can be served at a single site, all made possible by the generous hearts and donations of area farmers.

“It’s truly the first harvest that makes the second harvest possible,” says Jason Clark, CEO of Second Harvest. “Our partners in agriculture are the quiet heroes who keep so many families in this region fed every day, especially as food prices continue to rise. We rely on growers and hundreds of fruit and vegetable packers who donate millions of pounds of slightly blemished produce every year. Our role at Second Harvest is to handle logistics to bring the fruits of their labor to those in need.”

Second Harvest quote "Believe there is good in the world."

Imagine the logistics to source, transport and distribute 35 million pounds of donated food annually, across a 51,000-square-mile area. Bulk food by the semi-loads must be offloaded, sorted and repackaged for individual or household use. Then, distributed by truck or van to outlying areas. Incredibly, all of this work happens with a mighty team of volunteers who bring their passion and energy to help others.

On a sunny day in October, AgWest employees are assembled at the Second Harvest warehouse facility in Spokane. They’re colleagues from across the west – California, Arizona, Montana and Washington – who work together on the Business Solutions team. They’ve spent most of the day talking about new technologies and plans for the future. But now they’ve come together as a team to assemble Bite2Go food kits for local kids and volunteer together.

“Giving back to the community is an important part of what we do as an organization, but also what we do as individuals,” says Denise Warkomski, Chief Business Solutions Officer. “The personal satisfaction we receive from being part of our community and helping our communities grow and thrive is an amazing part of working together and building camaraderie as a team. And we’re so pleased to partner with Second Harvest in helping achieve their valuable outreach in our communities.”

Second Harvest’s Bite2Go program is designed to ensure school-aged children have enough food to last over the weekend. Oftentimes kids are uncertain about the foods available in the fridge or their cupboards at home. Students who have been identified as “needing a little extra help” by their counselor, teacher or another trusted adult, receive Bite2Go ready-to-eat meal and snack kits for Saturday and Sunday each week throughout the school year. Second Harvest works diligently to source brand-name foods from generous donors to thwart any stigma associated with charitable food.

With the support of area farmers and ranchers, Second Harvest supplies donated food to those in need.

Aubree’s smile lights up the room when she sees her second-grade classmates. Here she has made a bunch of new friends after her family moved from the South to Spokane last year. Aubree’s favorite classes are science, art and PE, each paving the way for her future. Bite2Go is another new experience for her. “It’s like heaven!” she says. “I’m happy because I get fun snacks and I know it’s from people who care about this school, so that makes me happy, too.”

As rising costs continue to grip the wallets of people across the Inland Northwest, more seniors, children and families are turning to Second Harvest and their partners for help. Gracious donors and loyal volunteers are working together to bridge the gap to provide healthy, nutritious food to their neighbors and friends.

“AgWest has been an incredible partner with us over the years,” says Chris Houglum, Philanthropy Director at Second Harvest. “In addition to financial support, employees generously give their time and talents. Some share their expertise in board leadership positions or on different committees, others roll up their sleeves to pack food. We understand the work AgWest does every day to contribute to a thriving agricultural community, which in turn, we are the beneficiaries of to serve those in need.”

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