One week left to donate food or money to Kent families!

Torklift Central is making its final push for the last week of donations to reach its goals for the 6th Annual Turkey Challenge. The company hoped to raise 10,000 pounds of food and $25,000 for the Kent Food Bank to feed hungry Kent families this Thanksgiving.

The idea behind the challenge is to get local businesses, organizations, schools and community members in Kent to see who can raise the most food. As of last Thursday, November 3, 2,126 pounds of food and $5,288 had been collected.

“We’ve got a little ways to go to reach our goal, but I believe our community will come together,” said Torklift Central owner Jack Kay. “Every little bit that people can donate helps others.”

Running until Nov. 14, 2016, anyone can go into participating businesses and donate canned goods or purchase a placard turkey for a $10 donation to be displayed in that particular business. One hundred percent of all donations received go to the Kent Food Bank.

Leaders of food donations are:

  • Plemmons Industries with 433 cans
  • Seattle/Tacoma KOA with 347 cans
  • Express Employment Pros with 213 cans
  • Bell-Anderson and Associates LLC with 175 cans
  • Medosweet Farms with 160 cans

Leaders of monetary donations are:

  • Eberle Vivian with $982
  • Kent United Methodist Church with $870
  • Kent CrossFit with $580
  • Central Ave Mini Storage with $470
  • Seattle/Tacoma KOA with $340.

“Since 2011, Kent business owners and organizations have raised $86,000 and 27,000 pounds of food and those numbers continue to grow daily,” Kay said.

In addition to collecting donations for the food bank, participating businesses are also hosting a Turkey Challenge Coloring Contest for children of all ages with several prizes.

To locate Kent businesses and organizations where you can make a donation, visit Torklift Central online or, if you can’t get to one of those businesses or organizations or you live out of town, you can contribute via GoFundMe.

Dana Neuts

I am a full-time freelance writer, editor, marketing pro and the publisher of iLoveKent.net.