Mattawa Food Bank receives large donation

MATTAWA - The Mattawa Area Food Bank, which has benefited before, received $5,000 from the Yakama Nation Legends Casino in Toppenish during its 17th anniversary celebration on May 15.

The celebration marked one of the largest grant distributions in Legends Casino's history, with more than $900,000 in gifts. Legends annually distributes a share of its profits to communities in the surrounding area.

Another Mattawa entity to receive a grant is the Mattawa-Desert Aire Lions Club. It received $1,000 to aid with its charitable projects. Jody Bacon accepted the check on behalf of the food bank.

The Yakama Cares program awarded 200 local non-profits with more than $400,000 while the Community Impact Fund targeted its $482,758 to law enforcement and fire and health care needs.

"Yakama Cares, an annual event, donates funds to create positive impacts in the community it serves," Spokeswoman Kim Harvey said.

It is funded through the Charitable Contribution fund. Program distributions have increased each year since 2008 with the 2015 contribution of $419,953.

Non-profit organizations submit their applications annually between Jan. 1 and March. The committee for the Charitable Contribution fund received hundreds of applications to evaluate for 2015. They underwent multiple rounds of cuts before the final selection.

The committee bases part of its selections on the areas of need identified in the community, and this year, those areas included programs dedicated to health and safety, senior citizens, youth and animals, all located in communities that Legends Casino serves.

The 200 organizations receiving a distribution represent many communities, from Goldendale to Mattawa and Pasco to Cle Elum. Grants awarded in 2015 range from $1,000 to $10,000 per recipient, including books, iMacs and other educational programs for schools, uniforms or equipment for sports teams, survival materials for homeless, vaccines for pet shelters and assistance for seniors.

The Community Impact Fund seeks to aid larger projects that benefit the community as a whole. This fund is administered by an independent committee including representatives of Toppenish or Wapato, Yakima, the state gaming commission, the Yakama gaming commission and Yakama Tribal Council.

For 2015, $482,758 has been designated for ten entities including the Wapato Fire Department, Yakima County Sheriff's Office, Yakama Nation Police Department, City of Toppenish Public Works Department Sewer Collection, Toppenish Community Hospital, Toppenish Police Department, Yakama Nation Housing Authority, Yakima County Fire District No. 5, and the Yakama Nation.

Yakama Nation Legends Casino is south central Washington's lone major casino. It includes more 1,400 slot machines, 20 table games including craps and roulette, a poker room, Keno, a buffet restaurant, and gift shop.

And it is about to grow. Parking has been expanded for an expected influx of visitors next year, when the casino's new six-floor, 200-plus room hotel opens, along with a 2,500-seat entertainment center.

The hotel and entertainment center, along with a new office building, are under construction. Included will be a spa. A steakhouse is planned, and there will be a new buffet.

Parking lot shuttles to the entrance of the casino have been added during construction.

Legends Casino is located just minutes off 1-82 and exit 50, one mile west of Toppenish. For more information: 1-877-7-COME-11 or www.legendscasino.com.

Legends Casino is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.