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.
“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.
