January 23, 2015 CapitalPress.com Expo visitors help food drive ‘dump’ hunger Need continues after holiday season Capital Press Western States Equip- ment hopes Spokane Ag Expo visitors will help the company collect seven dump truck loads of food this year, marking its sev- enth annual Dump Hunger food drive. The company-sponsored food drive returns to the Expo this year. Since 2008, the drive has collected near- ly 3.4 million pounds of food, which goes to food banks in Eastern Wash- ington and Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Western Wy- oming. Each year Western States increases its goal. Last year, the drive col- lected the equivalent of six truckloads of food. This year, the company hopes to collect 525,000 pounds, or seven truck- loads. That amount of food will provide roughly 437,000 meals to people in need. The company is seeking canned or dry goods or cash donations. Western States market- ing coordinator Whitney Mustin said the drive is especially timely, as food bank donations tend to drop off following the holiday season. “As we get more into the deep part of the winter months, the food bank lines continue to get a little bit longer, quite frankly,” said Rod Wieber, chief resource officer for Second Harvest in Spokane. “Donations, though, start to slow down. I think it’s just not top-of- mind.” Heating bills and other expenses increase during the winter, so people have to rely on local food banks to stretch their budgets, Wieber said. The Expo provides a good opportunity to collect monetary donations, Wieber said. For each dollar donated, Second Harvest can provide five meals to a family in need, he said. Many Expo attendees are from rural communi- ties, where Second Har- vest distributes food, he said. “They’ll be helping out their neighbors and commu- nities,” he said. According to a Western States press release, food donations can also be made at any Western States loca- tion. Spokane Ag Expo Online www.westernstatescat.com Monetary donations can be made online through partici- pating food banks. The biggest need is for boxed meals such as maca- roni and cheese; peanut but- ter; canned fruit, soup, chili, stew or vegetables; cereal; dried beans; pasta; pasta sauce; rice; and stuffing mix. “As a company, we ap- preciate any help (farmers and ranchers) are able to do, and we know the food banks appreciate it,” Mustin said. “It’s going to go to families in need.” The company plans to continue the drive beyond 2015. “It’s successful and it helps all of the com- munities out,” Mustin said. SEE US AT THE SHOW! CLASS 8 TRUCKS 509-534-9088 • SPOKANE, WA Answering machine after hours WE STOCK A GOOD SELECTION OF QUALITY PRE-OWNED TRUCKS & TRAILERS FOR FARM & COMMERCIAL USE. Rent-to-Own Grain Trailers. SPAE15-4/#14 By MATTHEW WEAVER 13 SPAE15-5/#14