Rotary Club of South Everett-Mukilteo helps feed the community

Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of South Everett-Mukilteo

South Everett-Mukilteo Rotary Club members, Snohomish County Rotaract members, and Cascade Interact club students collected 370 Thanksgiving baskets for families in need.

Members of the South Everett-Mukilteo Rotary Club gathered, family, friends, and volunteers to distribute 370 Thanksgiving food baskets to families in need on Sunday, November 21.

This corresponds to the care of around 2,200 adults and children. The project, which started over 25 years ago with 50 baskets, is growing from year to year. The local club pays for the baskets from its foundation funds, donations from local businesses, community members, and club members.

The club is working with QFC in Mukilteo to buy the baskets and the store lets the club use the back room and loading ramp to assemble the baskets. Club members and Snohomish County Rotaract volunteers and Cascade Interact club students braved the early Sunday morning cold to help organize and fill bags with all the trimmings for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of South Everett-Mukilteo

Volunteers load groceries into a truck.

Rotarians began delivering baskets around 9:00 a.m., and all 370 baskets were delivered by 11:00 a.m. Due to the COVID protocols, the baskets were picked up for delivery using a drive-thru system. The volunteers loaded up frozen turkeys, potatoes, and a bag of holiday food. Members then gave the basket without contact to families selected from the Mukilteo school district.

Rotarian Rene ‘Porubek led the project and was thrilled to be involved.

“It was great to see so many people helping with such a good cause,” said Porubek.

She added that partnering with QFC along with the support of volunteers and the community was essential to the success of the project.

For more information about Rotary International or the South Everett-Mukilteo Club, visit http://www.semrotary.org.