9/11/08

Volunteer's gift helps ensure the future of his favorite cause

Ron Grant was a kind and generous man who looked forward to the hours spent volunteering at the Marysville Community Food Bank. He lived simply, a single man with no immediate family who, according to food bank founder JoAnn Mulligan, “was always willing to help with anything that needed to be done.”

That desire to help others was carried out in his will, as the local man directed his estate to be divided between the Marysville Community Food Bank, the Everett Gospel Mission’s Women and Children’s Shelter, and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle. Each nonprofit agency received $94,579 for a total contribution of more than $280,000.

“We were shocked,” said Mike Mulligan, food bank president, of the organization’s reaction to the unexpected windfall.

Grant had mentioned to both Mike and JoAnn Mulligan that he intended to remember the food bank in his will, but neither expected a donation of this magnitude.

“We thought it might be $50 or $100,” said JoAnn Mulligan. “But this generous gift could not have come at a better time.”

The food bank is in the process of building a new facility, located behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church on 88th Street, which is scheduled to open the beginning of next year. Although the agency was successful at gathering grants and private donations to help pay for most of the construction project, rising costs and a growing client list have kept the food bank on the funding edge.

Executive director Joyce Zeigen has reiterated the need for donations to finish the building’s construction and purchase furnishings for the new facility, including a walk-in freezer, shelving and tables. Ongoing operations also require continual fundraising, especially with the rising cost of food and transportation. The short-term projected shortfall of around $100,000 is close to the amount of Grant’s donation.

“This generous contribution will certainly give us some breathing room,” said Mike Mulligan, “but we can’t become complacent. The food bank needs ongoing support from the community so we can continue to serve our growing population.”

Grant offered the use of his garage over the years for storage of food bank surpluses during those rare times when the collections soared, so Mulligan said the board has discussed a fitting tribute to Grant’s memory.

“The building has a big roll-up door, like a garage door, for deliveries. We’ve talked about adding a sign that reads ‘Ron’s Garage’ in his honor. We think he would like that.”

Ron Grant died in October, 2007. At the time of his death, he was a resident at Merrill Gardens in Marysville and, although he was unable to continue volunteering at the food bank, he still visited whenever he could.

“He’d come by, oxygen tank and all, to have a cup of coffee and catch up with the other volunteers,” said JoAnn Mulligan. “He worried about people in our community, and wanted to help make things right.”

Thanks to the Marysville man’s generous gift, many needy families in Snohomish County will be better served. It’s a lasting contribution that will continue to benefit the food bank that he loved.

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