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The 47th District: Issues, Insight & Interaction
KENT FOOD BANK HONORS NANCY TURNER FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE ON THEIR BOARD
February 22nd, 2012 at Wed, 22nd, 2012 at 7:11 am by lesliehamada
Nancy Turner has served her community in so many ways. If you are ever having a down day walk in a room and the first thing you get from Nancy is a big smile and a big hug. She is one of those unsung heroes that is there to help those in need in any way. Last night, she was honored at the Kent Food Bank Annual Business Dinner for 25 years of service. The dinner was held at the Valley View Christian Church and President of the Food Bank presided over the meeting Pat Pawlak, from the Kent Fire Department. The past board was made up of Pat, Nancy, Jeanette Ristau of the Kent School District, John Straus of the Kent Police Department, Verla Morrison (Vice-President) Kent United Methodist Church, Dave Bishop,Valley View Christian Church, Jim Renton, community member, Deanna Gratzer(Secretary) King County Fire District #37, and Sam Ray, Volunteers Representative. The staff of the Kent Food Bank consists of Jeniece Choate, Executive Director, Harriet Venables, Assistant Director, and Camico Rivon, Warehouse Coordinator.
The Kent Food Bank is one of the larger food banks in South King County. Clients may visit monthly for food, clothes, and government commodities and they can come weekly for perishable items such as: bread, produce and diary. Homeless individuals/families may visit weekly for special quick or no cook food items. There are two physical location one on 515 W. Harrison Street, Suite 107 in downtown Kent and one on the hill at 27360 129th Place SE. In 2011, they served 16, 791 people and that breaks down to 10, 171 adults and 6,620 children.
People like Nancy Turner are what make this community great. They are just quietly going about their job making the world a better place to be in. She is special and if you see her walking around Kent go up to her and give her a big hug and say–”thank you!”
lesliehamada Leslie is a wife, mother, & grandmother. She has worked in marketing, communications, & writing professionally. For the past 17 years she has resided in the Covington area and doing volunteer work in the King County Area. While her children attended University Place Schools she was actively involved in youth activities and PTA. She was in executive leadership in the organization as President in school PTA on all levels. In addition she held a District PTA leadership position. Currently her youngest child Lisa is a teacher and last year was recognized as NASPE 2009 High School Physical Education Teacher of the Nation. Her two sons are employed in Computer and engineer firms. She has two beautiful grandchildren. Leslie's pride & joy is Pee Wee Hamada her stay at home Cocker spaniel and her inspiration for her first Children's Book: "Pee Wee's Adventure In the Woods" which addresses boundaries for young children and safety issues through an exciting animal book. Leslie has been actively involved in her Community volunteering for over 40 years. She has mentored in high risk elementary schools since college. Presently she is Director for emergency services for her church Kent United Methodist. She is Chair of the Kent Ecumenical Network Board. It is her sixth year on Catholic Community Advocacy Board. She received an award last year from Governor Gregoire for work with felons. This past year she was recognized for work in social justice and poverty by the South King County Human Service Commission. Last year she received an award from the Southern Sudanese Organization in Seattle. In 2005 she received the SKC Award for the Spirit of Caring. In 2005 she traveled to San Francisco to work at the Soup Kitchen of Glide Memorial and help with immigrant Chinese pre-school students at Gum Moon Community. Her passion is working with kids and social justice issues. Presently she is working to start a Kids Boxing Program in the Kent East Hill area to give the kids a great after school program.
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