Hirai Farms giving 17,000 pounds of potatoes

Donation provided to Moses Lake Food Bank

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake Food Bank is receiving 17,000 pounds of potatoes in time for Thanksgiving.

Hirai Farms/Annie's Fun is delivering the potatoes to the food bank Tuesday.

Columbia Basin farmer Blaine Hirai owns the farm and serves as chair of Annie's Fun, named after Hirai's mother who lives in Seattle.

"Those in our community who are struggling to feed themselves and their families will get a break thanks to this generous donation," stated Moses Lake Food Bank Executive Director Linda Finlay. "While these are hard times for everybody, the fact that the potatoes will be delivered before Thanksgiving, makes it even more special."

Hirai's family owns farms in Quincy, Wilbur and near Moses Lake. Hirai Farms is family owned and operated since 1954. Annie's Fun was founded in 2005 as a non-profit charitable organization.

"In today's economic climate, it is getting increasingly difficult for many people to feed their families," Hirai stated. "When I was told that the Moses Lake Food Bank needed food, I felt that as a farmer it was important to do something to help. I am glad to support key food banks such as the Moses Lake Food Bank that are helping to provide food to those in need in the Columbia Basin."

In addition to donating food, Annie's Fun pledged $40,000 per year to the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund for the next seven years.