Local food bank helps Tulalip families in need

Tamara Morden makes last minute checks to boxes that will be given to families in need. Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Tamara Morden makes last minute checks to boxes that will be given to families in need.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
By Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
TULALIP – Tulalip Church of God, known locally as the ‘red church,’ helps families in the Tulalip and Snohomish County area supplement their dietary needs. The food bank  hands out donations to nearly 400 families every second and fourth Tuesday of each month, says volunteer and organizer, Tamara Morden, who explains that families must provide an address of residence to receive donations.
Local businesses such as Safeway, Winco and Northwest Harvest donate much needed supplies and are the food bank’s main source of food supply. Morden, who works a full-time regular job says she volunteers 20 hours a month to pick up, pack, and organize donations.
“Everyone is welcome who needs it. We don’t turn people away,” said Morden.
The food bank is open every second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Volunteers are always welcome.Tulalip Church of God is located at 1330 Marine Drive NE, Tulalip, WA 98271 and can be reached at 360-653-7876.

Greenhouse gardeners begin transplanting crops to aid local food banks

Photo/ Richelle Taylor
Photo/ Richelle Taylor

by Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News 

TULALIP – Gardeners in training took part in a transplanting extravaganza on Sunday, March 16, at the Hibulb Cultural Center.

A new partnership between the Tulalip Tribes and the Washington State University Snohomish County Master Gardeners Foundation is making it possible for participants to learn the nit and grit of greenhouse gardening.

During Sunday’s event, 40 gardeners of all ages transplanted 75 flats of broccoli, kale, and chard seedlings into larger pots. These seedlings will be part of a crop grown to aid local food banks, such as Tulalip Food Bank, and other Snohomish County Master Gardener food bank gardens.

Tulalip tribal member Gisselo Andrade Jr., helps transplant broccoli that will be harvested for the Tulalip Food Bank during the Greenhouse Gardening class hosted by the Tulalip Tribes and Washington State University Snohomish County Master Gardeners Foundation on March 16, 2014. Photo/ Richelle Taylor
Tulalip tribal member Gisselo Andrade Jr., helps transplant broccoli that will be harvested for the Tulalip Food Bank during the Greenhouse Gardening class hosted by the Tulalip Tribes and Washington State University Snohomish County Master Gardeners Foundation on March 16, 2014.
Photo/ Richelle Taylor

“We all got to know each other more and shared our passion and enthusiasm for gardening,” said Veronica Leahy, Diabetes Educator at the Tulalip Karen I. Fryberg Health Clinic. The gardens began with the clinic’s diabetes management care and prevention education as the ‘Gardening Together as Families’ program. The program expanded through the Rediscovery Program at the Hibulb Cultural Center to incorporate traditional plants and traditional foods

“Even in the rain we were warm and comfortable inside the greenhouse, enjoying each other’s company,” said Leahy.

An additional class was held on Wednesday, March 19, that focused on proper transplanting, water, and sanitization techniques, along with how to seed and label plants, and protecting young plants as they grow.

For more information on ‘Gardening Together as Families’ program at the Hibulb Cultural Center, please contact Veronica Leahy at 360-716-5642 or vleahy@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.

 

Brandi N. Montreuil: 360-913-5402; bmontreuil@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

 

Photo/ Richelle Taylor
Photo/ Richelle Taylor

 

Seventy-five flats of broccoli, kale, and chard seedling were transplanted during the Greenhouse Gardening class hosted by the Tulalip Tribes and the Washington State University Snohomish County Master Gardeners Foundation on March 16, 2014 at the Hibulb Cultural Center. Photo/ Richelle Taylor
Seventy-five flats of broccoli, kale, and chard seedling were transplanted during the Greenhouse Gardening class hosted by the Tulalip Tribes and the Washington State University Snohomish County Master Gardeners Foundation on March 16, 2014 at the Hibulb Cultural Center.
Photo/ Richelle Taylor
Photo/ Richelle Taylor
Photo/ Richelle Taylor