Arlington Haggen collects for food bank for the holidays

ARLINGTON Arlingtons Haggen Food and Pharmacy is pitching in for the Arlington food bank, to help local families in need have a happier holiday season.
This years Veterans Day weekend marked the start of the Seven Saturdays Before Christmas at the Arlington Haggen store, Nov. 10 through Dec. 22, during which store employees are conducting a collection drive of new toys, new clothing items and food items to donate to the food bank, in time for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
According to Mike Katanik of the stores meat department, who serves as one of the events coordinators, not only will a collection trailer pull up to the front entrance of the store on those Saturdays, but the store sponsors needy families in the area.
Well have a Christmas tree in the store, with tags on the tree for each member of the family, Katanik said. Weve had a family of six with four kids, plus an 87-year-old lady living on her own.
Katanik explained that the store tries to collect age- and gender-appropriate items for each member of the families, but acknowledged that certain age groups can be difficult to shop for, which was why he advised donors to consider necessities such as socks, underwear, pants and shirts for the 12- to 16-year-olds. He added that donated items should be left unwrapped, so that families can wrap those gifts themselves.
Katanik commended the number of businesses, churches and other local families who have contributed, recalling that it was amazing to be able to fill these trailers for those in need, especially when theyre not expecting anything. Thats what its all about.
To learn more, you may contact Mike Katanik at 360-403-3864.

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