The Blue Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America, will honor local Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg with the prestigious North Star Award at a virtual Scouting leadership event on September 28, 2021.

Scouting’s North Star Award recognizes community leaders for their outstanding achievements and support for youth and families in their communities. Ken Hohenberg, a 43-year veteran of the Kennewick Police Department, has served the Tri-Cities community through a myriad of programs throughout the years some of which include the Rotary Club of Columbia Center, United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties, DARE Executive Law Enforcement Advisory Board, and Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to name just a few. He’s also received numerous recognitions including Kennewick Man of the Year in 2005 and Tri-Citian of the Year in 2009. In 2010 he was also recognized as the National DEA/DARE Executive of the Year for his leadership in drug education and enforcement.

Legendary NFL Quarterback and Patriots Hall of Famer, Drew Bledsoe will provide the keynote address at the event. His discussion about leadership ties in with Scouting’s critical mission of continuing to build tomorrow’s leaders and keeping the Scouting program strong in our community.

This Scouting reveille was initially planned to be an in-person breakfast but is now going to be an online event. To learn more about the Scouting aims and to register for this event go to www.bluemountainscouts.org/breakfast.

Gesa, a community-chartered credit union, just announced they have partnered with Food Lifeline and Second Harvest in honor of Hunger Action Month. For the entire month of September, the three organizations are working together to raise awareness about food insecurity and mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger in the Northwest.

Food Lifeline is a non-profit organization that provides food to more than 300 food banks, shelters, and meal programs across Western Washington, which equates to providing 134,000 meals every day.

“We are grateful for our partnership with Gesa Credit Union. Hunger Action Month is a time to stand against hunger by sharing, volunteering and supporting the work we are doing together,” said Ryan Scott, Chief Development Officer at Food Lifeline. “We are proud of our shared commitment to building communities where everyone has access to nutritious, culturally relevant foods.”

Similarly, Second Harvest is a non-profit organization that provides 280 food pantries and meal sites to more than 55,000 people each week in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

“Our friends at Gesa walk the walk,” said Jason Clark, President and CEO of Second Harvest. “Whether helping us distribute food to veterans or sorting fresh produce, Gesa’s sponsorship of Hunger Action Month is just one highlight of a year-round commitment to support the communities where the credit union operates.” 

Gesa is the presenting sponsor for both organizations and will donate $25,000 to each organization for a total of $50,000 in monetary contributions. Gesa will also host food drives at each of their branch locations and offer team members safe, socially distant volunteer opportunities that follow the Washington State Governor’s guidance for all pandemic related policies.

“Gesa is proud to support Food Lifeline and Second Harvest in their campaigns to raise awareness about hunger and to safely mobilize the public to take action on an issue that impacts communities across the state,” said Angie Brotherton, Assistant Vice President of Community Relations for Gesa Credit Union. “We’re happy to take part in the incredible work that both Food Lifeline and Second Harvest do, and we are grateful that our team’s efforts can help make a difference in the lives of many individuals across the state who are experiencing food insecurity.

For more information about Food Lifeline, visit their website https://foodlifeline.org/. To learn more about Second Harvest, visit https://2-harvest.org/. For more information about Gesa Credit Union’s involvement in the community, visit https://www.gesa.com/community. 

Gesa Credit Union is sponsoring Second Harvest’s Hunger Action Month® (HAM) again this year, not only with dollars but also volunteers at the food bank’s Pasco and Spokane warehouses.

“Our friends at Gesa walk the walk,” said Jason Clark, President and CEO of Second Harvest. In addition to a generous contribution of $25,000, Gesa employees are helping to sort and pack food for their neighbors who are in need of food. “Whether helping us distribute food to veterans or sorting fresh produce, Gesa’s sponsorship of Hunger Action Month is just one highlight of a year-round commitment to support the communities where the credit union operates.”

“Gesa is proud to support Second Harvest in their campaign to raise awareness about hunger and to safely mobilize the public to take action on the devastating issue of hunger,” said Angie Brotherton, Assistant Vice President of Community Relations for Gesa Credit Union. “We’re happy to take part in the incredible work that Second Harvest does, and we are grateful that our team’s efforts can help make a difference in the lives of many individuals in eastern Washington and north Idaho who are experiencing food insecurity.”

Gesa Credit Union has committed to match September donations up to $25,000, and Gesa employees will lend a helping hand by volunteering for Second Harvest in both Pasco and Spokane. (Media are welcome to film at these times and locations. The guidance of the Washington State Governor for all pandemic related policies will be followed.)

• Sept. 1, 11 am to 1 pm
  • Mobile Market at the Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  • 4815 N. Assembly St., Spokane, 99205
• Sept. 20, 4:30 pm to 6 pm
  • Food sort at Second Harvest’s Spokane Hunger Solution Center
  • 1234 E. Front Ave., Spokane, 99202
• Sept. 21, 9 am to 10:30 am
  • Food sort at Second Harvest’s Spokane Hunger Solution Center
  • 1234 E. Front Ave., Spokane, 99202
• Sept. 22, 9 am to 11 am, and Noon to 2 pm
  • Food sort at Second Harvest’s Pasco Hunger Solution Center
  • 5825 Burlington Loop, Pasco, 99301

This year’s $25,000 donation adds to the $150,000 Gesa granted Second Harvest’s hunger relief work over the previous decade. “The long-standing support of Gesa and its employees is truly an inspiration for us,” Clark added.

Hunger Action Month is a time when people all over America stand against hunger and is led by Feeding America. Second Harvest is one of 200 Feeding America member food banks from across the country. Sharing, volunteering, pledging to advocate, fundraising and donating are just a few ideas for taking action this month.