Each month, we highlight one of the moving companies in our network for their extraordinary commitment to fighting hunger in their community. We are excited to announce that Bekins Northwest of Spokane has been named our Mover of the Month for July 2019!
More than 69,000 people in Spokane County are food insecure, including 1 in 5 children. That doesn’t make Spokane unique, because hunger exists in every county in the United States. But not every company is actively committed to addressing the problem. Incorporating charitable giving into your day-to-day busines….that’s what sets members of our network apart.
Bekins Moving & Storage of Spokane joined Move For Hunger in 2011, which makes them one of the longest-standing partners. According to the branch’s General Manager, David Royal, being able to give back to the communities where he and his crew work, live, and were born is one of the major reasons they are so devoted to the cause.
“Most of our employees grew up in the Spokane area, and we all believe it’s important to help out our local community.”
Since 2011, Bekins Northwest of Spokane has delivered more than 42,300 lbs. of food to the Second Harvest Food Bank, which is the equivalent of 35,300 meals. All 13 branches of the Olympic Moving & Storage/Bekins Northwest brand in Washington state are members Move For Hunger, and Royal credited leadership for making the program a priority.
“What’s great about Bekins Northwest is the ownership completely supports and encourages us to connect with charities and give back to the local community.”
In July, the Spokane crew rescued more than 4,800 lbs. of food/beverages from the IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene triathlon. The team also helped us take a bite out of hunger by organizing a Shark Week Food Drive later in the month. In addition to collecting donations at their office, Bekins Northwest encouraged members of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce to participate. About 75 local businesses participated, and together they donated 1,154 lbs. of canned tuna & other non-perishables!
Collecting delivering nearly 6,000 lbs. of food in drinks in a single month is an incredible accomplishment and it could not have come at a better time. Food banks face their greatest need during the summer, when children are no longer receiving breakfast or lunch at school. Families who rely on those meals are often forced to turn to their local food pantry until classes begin again in the fall. Hunger is a year-round problem, but it’s always a bit more difficult to solve during the summer. Fortunately, there are companies like Bekins Northwest of Spokane who recognize the urgency of the problem and decide to take action.
Royal said there are 2 reasons why his team makes time to volunteer, even during the busy moving season.
“First of all, you just have to remember how important it is, and then you just make the time. Second, you must have individuals involved that believe how important the work is, from start to finish.”
When you’re making deliveries to the food bank as often as they do, it’s no secret why the staff from Bekins Northwest of Spokane believes in the Move For Hunger program.
“It always has a positive impact on the crews involved,” Royal said. “They get the opportunity to see the amount of food collected, and the Second Harvest Food Bank always tells our drivers the weight of the food they delivered and, more importantly, how many meals it will provide for our neighbors in need.”
In addition to the award, Bekins Northwest of Spokane will also be receiving Move For Hunger truck decals for their entire fleet.
Congratulations to Bekins Northwest on this much-deserved recognition! Thank you for helping us reduce food waste and fight hunger in the Evergeen State!
Are you in the relocation industry? You can join the Move For Hunger network today. Doing good is good for business!
There are a number of ways to fight hunger in your community. Get started today!
