By Doug Petrowski

In addition to the usual fruits and vegetables, grains and dry goods usually available, needy local families and individuals will be able to pick up cheese and other fresh dairy products for the near future at the Concern for Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace, thanks to a recent grant from the Hazel Miller Foundation.

“The funds we received will help us continue our fresh dairy program,” said food bank president Anne Peterson. “This enables us to add an additional week of fresh milk for our clients every month. Also, we can purchase cheese once a month, which gives clients an added protein.”

The most recent monetary gift comes after the foundation also gave the food bank a large grant last May.

“Granting funds to local food banks is one of the focus areas of the foundation,” said Dan Asher, administrator for the Hazel Miller Foundation. “The organizations are serving the most compelling need in our area.” Asher called the work of the Concern for Neighbors Food Bank “an inspiration to others,” and hopes the foundation can have a long relationship with the group.

“We want to thank them and all the other food banks in South Snohomish County for what they do,” Asher added.

Peterson expressed gratitude to the foundation for the approval of the recent grant. “We are grateful to the Hazel Miller Foundation for their ongoing support during the year to organizations such as ours which helps us feed those in need,” she said. “We also want to wish everyone at the Hazel Miller Foundation a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.”

The Hazel Miller Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation formed to support programs and projects that benefit education, the environment, the arts, hunger and poverty alleviation, and youth, civic and community services in South Snohomish County. You can find more information about the Hazel Miller Foundation here.