It is with great sadness that we announce the closing of 7 out of 13 LDS canneries around the country as of January 1, 2012--including the cannery in Kent. This closure was due to 2 factors. First, some of the LDS canneries could produce many more cans per day and the continued investment in the older canneries was not sensible. Second, new federal food regulations with an eye on homeland security have made it virtually impossible to rely on volunteers, the core of the cannery workers.
All those volunteers who worked so hard on behalf of the South King County Food Banks can continue their good work at the Northwest Harvest warehouse, which is located at 22220 68th Ave So (also known as West Valley Hwy), only 5 minutes from the cannery. Work includes sorting and packaging food for distribution to food banks throughout Washington State. Large groups are welcome. The following shifts are available but must be scheduled in advance: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 9 am - 12 pm and 1 - 3 pm, or Wednesday from 9 am - 12 pm, 1 - 3 pm, and 4 - 7 pm. (Closed Sunday and Monday.) To arrange for a volunteer time, please contact Jennifer Chew, Volunteer Program Manager at Northwest Harvest. Phone: 206.923.7435. Email: jenniferc@northwestharvest.org
If you have any other questions, please contact Barb Shimizu at 206-898-7182 or barbshimizu@comcast.net.
