Heavy smoke hung in the air Wednesday afternoon, but the mood was light at the Asotin County Food Bank.
Volunteers gathered around a new cargo van that will be used to transport food from area grocery stores to the nonprofit organization's headquarters at 1546 Maple St. The vehicle drew cheers from the crowd.
"This is going to be a real asset for us," said Joanne Huntley, president of the Asotin County Food Bank. "We couldn't be more pleased."
The 2015 Dodge van was purchased with a $50,600 grant from Walmart. It replaces a smaller 1994 van that was donated by Fuchs Flower and Garden Center many years ago and served the food bank well, Huntley said.
Walmart awards grants to communities across the country as part of a "Feeding America" program.
Robert McDaniel, co-manager of the Clarkston Walmart, and Niels Hansen, acting manager, were on hand for the dedication ceremony.
Hansen, who has worked at Walmart for 23 years in various states, said this is the first time he's helped give away a cargo van.
"It really is a good company," McDaniel added. "It's huge, but it still feels like a small company, in a lot of ways. We have a lot of good people working there, and we're all members of the community."
The Clarkston store employs 350 part-time and full-time workers, he said.
Food bank volunteers Mary Ackerman and Mike Butler helped with the grant application that resulted in the new ride.
"It was a real team effort," Butler said. "This is awesome, and it's a good time to remind people that we're looking for more volunteers."
Huntley said close to 50 people help out at the food bank, along with a crew dedicated to a backpack program that helps feed kids in the community. Volunteers are always welcome, she said.
More information about the food bank and hours of operation are available online at asotin
countyfoodbank.org or by calling (509) 758-7085.
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Sandaine may be contacted at kerris@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2264. Follow her on Twitter @newsfromkerri.
