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A Washington Army National Guard Soldier, assigned to Joint Task Force Steelhead, the Washington National Guard's COVID-19 response force, works with volunteers to distribute nonperishable groceries at the Kent Food Bank, June 22, 2021, in Kent, Wash. Washington State House Rep. Tina Orwall paid a visit to several food distribution sites to observe the Guard's ongoing food distribution mission in communities impacted by the effects of COVID-19.
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
A Washington Army National Guard Soldier, assigned to Joint Task Force Steelhead, the Washington National Guard's COVID-19 response force, works with volunteers to distribute fresh produce at the Kent Food Bank, June 22, 2021, in Kent, Wash. Washington State House Rep. Tina Orwall paid a visit to several food distribution sites to observe the Guard's ongoing food distribution mission in communities impacted by the effects of COVID-19.
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A Washington Army National Guard Soldier, assigned to Joint Task Force Steelhead, the Washington National Guard's COVID-19 response force, works with volunteers to distribute nonperishable groceries at the Kent Foodbank, June 22, 2021, in Kent, Wash. Washington State House Rep. Tina Orwall paid a visit to several food distribution sites to observe the Guard's ongoing food distribution mission in communities impacted by the effects of COVID-19.
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
A Washington Army National Guard Soldier, assigned to Joint Task Force Steelhead, the Washington National Guard's COVID-19 response force, works with volunteers to distribute nonperishable groceries at the Kent Food bank, June 22, 2021, in Kent, Wash. Washington State House Rep. Tina Orwall paid a visit to several food distribution sites to observe the Guard's ongoing food distribution mission in communities impacted by the effects of COVID-19.
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U.S. Army Soldiers with Joint Task Force Steelhead, the Washington National Guard’s COVID-19 response force, pose for a photo with Washington State House Rep. Tina Orwall at the Kent Food Bank, June 22, 2021, in Kent, Wash. The Washington National Guard’s food distribution mission continues to alleviate food insecurity in communities impacted by the effects of COVID-19.
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U.S. Army Sgt. Kenneth Yost, with Joint Task Force Steelhead, the Washington National Guard’s COVID-19 response force, speaks with Washington State House Rep. Tina Orwall at the Kent Food Bank, June 22, 2021, in Kent, Wash. The Washington National Guard’s food distribution mission continues to alleviate food insecurity in communities impacted by the effects of COVID-19. .
(Photo Credit: Sgt. Alec Dionne)VIEW ORIGINAL
KENT, Wash. – Washington state Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, toured the Des Moines and Kent food banks in western Washington, June 2, 2021. The food banks are staffed by service members assigned to Joint Task Force Steelhead, the Washington National Guard’s COVID-19 response force.
Orwall, who oversees military affairs in the Washington State Legislature, toured and inspected JTF Steelhead efforts along with senior leaders from JTF Steelhead. “[The Washington National Guard] has really filled a niche here in the staff,” said Orwall. Serving their local communities during the pandemic has forged a bond between food bank staff, volunteers, and service members. “These guys are great, we couldn’t have done it without them, period,” said the food bank’s warehouse director Jeff Richmond.
Many of these service members, such as Army Sgt. Kenneth Yost, the non-commissioned officer in charge at the Kent food bank, are locals who directly help the same community where they live, work, and raise their families.
Members of JTF Steelhead continue to support 38 food banks and distribution centers across the state. Since April 2020, we have helped package and distribute more than 94.3 million pounds of food and over 6 million meals at 79 locations throughout Washington State. The Washington National Guard continues to support the Washington State Department of Agriculture and community food banks to help alleviate food insecurity caused by the effects of COVID-19.
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