The Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club delivered a check for $6,751 to the Rotary First Harvest at its club meeting on Jan. 19 at the Glendale Country Club. First Harvest works by connecting farmers, truckers, volunteers and food banks to reduce hunger and food waste.

The club donated the funds in honor of member Michel Carter’s many contributions. Carter was a recent recipient of Harvest’s 2017 Shanahan Awards.

David Bobanick, Harvest’s executive director, received the donation on behalf of the organization. Bobanick highlighted the impressive achievements of Harvest’s work, including that they have distributed two million pounds of healthy fruits and vegetables to food banks since 1982. This accomplishment is even more impressive as nearly half the food grown in the U.S. goes to waste.

Bobanick added that “the donation was a surprise — and one we were grateful to receive. These funds will help Rotary First Harvest continue to provide healthy and nutritious produce for the families and individuals who receive assistance from local hunger-relief programs across our community. RFH is grateful for the support we receive from BBRC and its members. Thank you all for your kindness.”

Kaj Pedersen, president of the Bellevue Rotary, said, “We are thrilled that our members generously came forward this Rotary year to help reduce hunger in our community. The additional funds raised will make a real difference too many people looking for support and thanks to the Rotary First Harvest amazing organization there will be a helping hand, when people need it.”

The club membership is dedicated to “service above self” and they derive much toward this goal through the contributions of their dynamic membership and local businesses. The club welcomes all interested parties who want to make a difference in the community to learn more at www.bbrc.net.