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♦��C hs� fl E s..To rhe'•o, <br /> Kittitas County, Washington <br /> BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> District One District Two District Three <br /> h11 1 IJ I`."Ul Y i'1 Cory Wright Laura Osiadacz Brett Wachsmith <br /> April 14, 2021 <br /> The Honorable Kim Schrier, MD <br /> Eighth District <br /> State of Washington <br /> Dear Representative Schrier: <br /> We are writing in support of the request from Friends in Service to Humanity (FISH) to <br /> the Community Project Funding program for assistance in expanding the Food Bank <br /> and Food Pantry for Kittitas County. <br /> The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners believes strongly in the importance of the <br /> Food Bank and Food Pantry in servicing our residents county-wide and recognize the <br /> need for expanded space. For that reason, in 2020 the Board of Commissioners gifted <br /> FISH with a building valued at $358,000 and signed a 50-year lease for the land under <br /> the building. Those two processes provided the foundation that allows FISH to expand <br /> into the space so badly needed. <br /> We are aware that 40% of the residents of Kittitas County rely on the Ellensburg Food <br /> Pantry for groceries. The clients of the Food Pantry are the working poor of our County, <br /> seniors on fixed income, and those who have experienced a life-altering event causing <br /> a need for assistance. These are friends and neighbors who are always treated with <br /> dignity and given referrals to other agencies and services to meet all of their needs. <br /> FISH is constantly seeking ways to enhance their services. Their Food4All Farm which <br /> supplies fresh produce for the meal service programs and the pantry, the Supporting <br /> Wellness at Pantries, a nationally recognized nutrition education program, which guides <br /> clients to healthier food choices, and the new program which trains coaches to help <br /> mentor and motivate clients in setting goals to become food secure and self-sufficient. <br /> These are just some of the reasons that we support this request for funding and <br /> encourage the Community Project Funding review committee to seriously consider this <br /> worthwhile request. It will benefit the residents of this County for years to come. <br /> Sincerely, 4 Oa <br /> _ <br /> timinam <br /> • <br /> Brett Wachsmith Laura rsiadacz Cory Wright <br /> Chairman Vice-Chair Commissioner <br /> Kittitas County Courthouse• 205 West 5th Avenue,STE 108 • Ellensburg,WA 98926 <br /> (509)962-7508 •FAX(509)962-7679 <br />