5/08/08

Food Bank recognizes its past, plans for future

by Beckye Randall

Marysville Community Food Bank volunteers and guests were honored on April 17 with entertainment, dinner and Presidential Service certificates for their dedication to the organization. Nearly 85 community members attended the dinner, held at Marysville United Methodist Church.

A special memorial plaque was presented to the family of Lillie Lein, honoring the longtime volunteer’s service to the Food Bank and her leadership role in Operation Marysville Community Christmas. Lein passed away suddenly on July 9, 2007, from a brain aneurysm.

Joe and Pat McGuire were honored as Volunteers of the Year for 2007. The couple has volunteered at the Food Bank for the past five years, helping to prepare and display fresh vegetables, manage driver schedules, organize other volunteers, store shipments and much more.

In looking toward the organization’s future, a May 2 ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Food Bank building, which will be constructed on property behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church on 88th Street, was attended by dozens of volunteers along with city officials and business leaders. Much of the funding for the new building has been arranged through grants and local donations, but approximately $100,000 is still needed.

“We’re so lucky to be in this giving community,” said Joyce Zeigen, the Food Bank’s executive director. “Without the support of local civic organizations and generous individuals, we wouldn’t be here today.”

 Currently, the Marysville Food Bank occupies a building located next to the YMCA just off 64th Ave. NE. The new facility will feature a more shopper-friendly layout, allowing clients to select their own groceries, along with increased storage and support service space.

“Construction is expected to start on May 5 and take about 180 days,” said Zeigen, “but we’ll wait until after the holidays to make the move.”

JoAnn Mulligan is one of the founders of the local Food Bank and served as its director for many years. Her son, Mike, is now president of the non-profit organization’s Board of Directors.

“HUD provided $400,000 in grant money for the new building,” he explained, “and the state kicked in another $187,000. The Marysville Noon Rotary contributed $100,000 and their members have also pledged to help with the move to the new place.”

Mrs. Mulligan, who was recently honored with a prestigious Jefferson Award for Public Service, was beaming with pride at the groundbreaking ceremony. “This is a long-awaited event, and one that I’m so proud to witness,” she said.

Captions: (Top) Director Joyce Zeigen (center) and president Mike Mulligan applaud Pat McGuire (left), the Food Bank's Volunteer of the Year along with her husband Joe.

(Middle) Celebrating the groundbreaking for the Marysville Community Food Bank's planned construction are (from left) Larry Jubie of the Marysville Rotary, Mayor Dennis Kendall, Father Horatio with St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wendy Bart from the YMCA, and Food Bank president Mike Mulligan.

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