Military Dept. donates food to local food bank

Military Department donates food to Tillicum/American Lake food bank

A generous helping of food, including much needed cereal and pasta, was donated this week by the Washington Military Department to the food bank at the Tillicum/American Lake Gardens Community Service Center.

“This food arrived just in the nick of time!” said Debra Paden, President of the Community Center.

The Military Department hosted a month-long food drive that began after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.  The Military Department hosts the annual food drive and over the years it has provided many struggling families with a source of food that makes a world of difference to them. 

“As in the past, donations will support the Tillicum/American Lake Gardens Community Center – which helps feed low income families living in the neighborhoods surrounding Camp Murray,” said Major General Bret Daugherty. “This neighborhood could desperately use your help, as it’s the area with the highest poverty level in all of Pierce County."



The Military Department’s donations is a testament to the motto of “neighbors helping neighbors,”

“We often say we’re ‘neighbors helping neighbors,’” Daugherty said in an email soliciting donations from employees. “This is a fantastic opportunity to practice that motto, and help those that truly need it.

“Whenever I hear that there are families in need, my heart breaks,” CFMO employee Carol Turner said.  “No person should ever go hungry.  They should always have access to the food they need to grow and thrive.  When I heard about the food drive, I was determined to do what I could to help.”

About 96 percent of the of the children in the community get free or reduced lunches and it’s one of the lowest income single parent family community in Pierce County, according to officials at Tillicum/American Lake Gardens Community Center.

The food bank is located at the Tillicum/American Lake Gardens Community Center, 14916 Washington Ave SW, Lakewood, WA. The center is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for anyone who wants to drop off food donations.