HERE'S THE BEEF

MOSES LAKE - For the first time, beef roasts were part of Second Harvest Food Bank's delivery in Moses Lake.

It is estimated that 200 households, or between 600-1,500 people, were provided with four tons of free food at the Moses Lake Senior Center, according to Sally McClanahan, the center's former director. 

Recipients included senior citizens and families with children.

The 1,200 pounds of beef were donated by cattle ranchers through the Beef Counts Program, said Ron Reyer, of El Oro Cattle Feeders in Moses Lake.

Agri Beef Co. provides a 50 percent matching contribution and cattle growers provide cash and animal contributions.

Beef Counts began last fall, with the help of partnerships from Second Harvest, Washington Cattle Feeders Association, Washington State Beef Commission, Washington Livestock Marketing Association, Washington Cattlemen's Association and Washington Cattlewomen's Association. 

Donations were gathered during two auctions, one in Davenport and one in Toppenish.

A total of $78,000 was raised, with contributions from Agri Beef. Co., Reyer said.

The Beef Counts organization is a way for donors to convert a donated animal.

It allows the group to process beef at a Toppenish plant and "put it into a form to hand out to people," he said.

Beef Counts also provided beef to the hungry in Pasco and Ellensburg this month, according to the Beef Counts Web site. Walla Walla is the group's next stop.

Second Harvest Food Safety Manager Randy Schacht said Second Harvest holds three to four events per week and covers 21 Eastern Washington counties and five northern Idaho counties.

The idea is to bring perishable items to the communities, he said.

Other items delivered Wednesday to Moses Lake included mayonnaise, apples, potatoes, watermelon, bread and oatmeal.

For more information, visit www.beefcounts.org or call Carry Liles, the Moses Lake Senior Center's general manager, at 509-765-7809.