PORT TOWNSEND — Arrow Lumber made a special delivery Monday to the Port Townsend Food Bank.
“This is a really different payload for us,” said Cadian Hendricks, vice president and general manager of Arrow Lumber in Port Townsend.
“Usually we’re hauling lumber and building materials. It’s a little different today.”
The company bought and delivered 375 turkeys for Thanksgiving meals, available to anyone who wants a bird in the community.
“There are almost 5,000 pounds — over two tons of birds — on this truck,” Hendricks said.
This is the 10th year the company has donated turkeys to the Port Townsend Food Bank.
This year, Maggie Kelleher, contractor sales, and driver Willie Rogers were along for the trip and helped prepare the boxes to be off-loaded.
Unloading help was contributed by 12 residents and two staff members from Gray Wolf Ranch.
They provided the muscle, moving the cargo, each box weighing 75 pounds, into the storage area inside.
Hendricks said the company is dedicated to helping out those in need in the community.
“Our owners, Barney Wagner and Shawn Roehr, wanted to give back to the communities where we have locations. We started the branch here in Port Townsend 10 years ago and we first operated out of a construction trailer. Four years ago, we built our facility.
“Arrow Lumber is donating 2,200 birds this year for their seven stores throughout Western Washington. The company works with 14 food banks in the areas we serve.”
Food Bank Manager Shirley Moss tells Hendricks what the need is in the community each year.
“It takes some of the burden off of Shirley and the food bank so they don’t have to go out and buy turkeys. We’ve always worked with her. She tells us her needs and whatever she needs, we make it happen.”
The company doesn’t forget its employees on Thanksgiving. Hendricks said each employee gets a Thanksgiving gift card so they can go to local grocers and get all the fixings for a meal with their families. There are 18 employees at the Port Townsend location.
“It’s a really nice thing to do,” said Hendricks. “It’s giving back to our community. It’s thanking those who support us, our customers, friends and family.”
The Port Townsend Food Bank, located at the Mountain View Commons at 1925 Blaine St., will be open at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Turkeys will be ready to be picked up, along with all the other fixings a family might need to make a Thanksgiving meal.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
