Sen. Hobbs to oversee National Guard support of food banks

OLYMPIA — State Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, has been tapped to oversee the Washington National Guard’s support of food banks and other tasks in the western portion of the state in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Hobbs, a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard, will command Task Force Olympic, comprised of 150 to 200 men and women of the Army and Air National Guard, according to a news release. There is a separate Task Force Columbia for eastern Washington.

Gov. Jay Inslee authorized use of National Guard members to assist community food banks earlier this month. Last week, the Guard reported soldiers and airmen were involved in supporting 17 food banks, with plans to increase the total to 35.

Other tasks, such as ensuring critical supplies such as ventilators and beds reach their destinations, also will be assigned to the task force.

“I’ve been inspired by the stories of people working together to fight the spread of this virus,” Hobbs said in a statement. “Serving communities in times of crisis is why people join the National Guard. It’s an honor for me to be able to do my part.”