Maltby Food Bank auction to raise money for forklift, fresh food
Published 1:30 am Friday, September 30, 2016
To make that work easier and safer, they hope to raise enough money during this year’s auction to pay for a forklift.
The food bank’s annual auction is scheduled for Nov. 5 at The Golf Club at Echo Falls. Up to 200 people can attend. The fundraiser includes a silent auction, live auction and dessert dash, chairwoman Kristine Willson said. The auction has a sports theme.
“Hopefully everyone will come dressed in their favorite team colors and we can have some friendly rivalry,” Willson said. “If it’s anything like last year, we’re going to have bidding wars galore.”
Based on past years, the goal is to raise between $50,000 and $60,000, she said. A propane-powered forklift is the big item volunteers are raising money for, but they also gather donations during the yearly auctions for the nonprofit’s general operations. Though most of the bank’s nonperishable items are donated, money is needed for fresh food, Willson said.
“We try to get fresh dairy products every week to distribute and also fresh produce during the winter months,” she said.
Willson still is gathering sponsors and donors for the auction. If local businesses or individuals are interested in contributing a prize package for people to bid on, they can contact Willson at auctionchair@maltbyfoodbank.org. Donations also can be made online at bit.ly/MaltbyFoodBank2016. The deadline is Oct. 15.
Businesses can donate goods, services or packages, such as tickets for a getaway for two. The auction has gathered prizes so far such as Stevens Pass lift tickets, bagels for a year from Panera Bread and Seahawks game tickets.
The food bank has been in Maltby since 1993. About 80 volunteers help run the bank, which provides food, personal care and school supplies and holiday gifts for 200 households, or roughly 600 people, Willson said. About a third of the people who come to the food bank are seniors.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.
