For the Reporter

Foster Farms donated 1,000 whole turkeys to Kent-based Northwest Harvest this month – the largest donation of high-protein items the hunger-relief agency has received this holiday season.

The frozen birds were recently distributed to shelters and soup kitchens that plan to prepare the birds as part of Thanksgiving meals. Northwest Harvest estimates the donation will help feed more than 9,000 people.

Washington ranks as the 15th hungriest state, according to the United Stated Department of Agriculture. Northwest Harvest anticipates the need for help to increase this holiday season after recent reductions in Federal funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“Foster Farms is committed to our local communities in the Pacific Northwest and we want to do whatever we can to help Northwest Harvest provide for those most in need in Washington this holiday season,” said Ira Brill, director of marketing and communications at Foster Farms. The company’s Pacific Northwest operations are based in Kelso.

High-protein items are always in demand at Northwest Harvest which strives to provide nutritious food to hungry people statewide in a manner that respects their dignity.

“We’d like to thank Foster Farms for this very generous turkey donation,” said Shelley Rotondo, CEO of Northwest Harvest. “This is a great example of a business giving back to the community.”

Northwest Harvest is the only nonprofit food bank distributor operating statewide in Washington, providing 1.9 million meals each month to a network of more than 360 food banks, meal programs and high-need schools.