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With New Grant, Coquille Tribe Expands Food Donation Program

Brenden
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Flickr.com

The Coquille Tribe is announcing a $20,000 grant that’ll help increase – and diversify -- food donations to hungry families. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.

A number of grocery stores currently donate to what’s called Fresh Alliance. The program collects expired baked goods, fruits and vegetables, and other items to redistribute to food banks.

With this latest grant, McKay’s will join the list, which also includes Safeway and Walmart.

Jackie Chambers coordinates the Coquille Tribal Fund. She says while the food is past its sell-by date, it’s still safe and healthy for families who’d otherwise go without it.

Credit Kim Faires / Flickr.com
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“Something that’s very important to the tribe is potlatch," she tells KLCC.  "And that’s always giving back and leaving some for others. So this grant is gonna help bring in more markets, to eliminate throwing out food, food waste. 

"That’s very important to the tribe and I think our community as a whole.”

Chambers says altogether, 58 groups are sharing nearly $300,000 in grants this year. The Coquille Community Fund is supported by proceeds from the Mill Casino in North Bend.

Copyright 2018, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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