County donates van to replace one stolen from Labor Agency

SEATTLE (Dec. 4, 2014) — In time for the holiday season, King County Executive Dow Constantine and County Councilmember Larry Phillips on Tuesday announced the donation of a surplus county van to help a local service agency deliver food, toiletries and diapers to families in need.

The donated van replaces one that was stolen last month from the Puget Sound Labor Agency, which provides food and hygiene items for more than 22,000 households in Queen Anne, Belltown, Magnolia, South Lake Union and downtown each week. Its food bank is located in the Seattle Labor Temple located at First and Broad.

“When we were informed about the stolen van, we understood the urgency and stepped up to help,” Constantine said. “Rather than sit idle in a county surplus yard, I’m pleased we can put this van back into service to our community.”

(From left) Food Bank Director Morgan Stine, Seattle City Councilman Larry Phillips, M.L. King County Labor Council Executive Secretary David Freiboth; Puget Sound Labor Agency President Karen White; and PSLA Board Member Paul Neil; Interim PSLA Director Lynn Nishimura; and PSLA Board member Cheryl Taylor.

“Tragedy often requires swift community response, especially for those in need. Replacing this stolen van helps those who would otherwise go hungry,” said Phillips, who represents the Belltown neighborhood on the County Council. “The Puget Sound Labor Agency’s Belltown Food Bank helps individuals and their families get back on their feet, and I’m pleased that this surplus King County van will be used to keep assisting the community.”

“This is a bright light at what would have been a very dark time for our clients and volunteers,” said Lynn Nishimura, Interim Director of Puget Sound Labor Agency, AFL-CIO. “Beginning in January we’ll be able to deliver food to home bound individuals and families who have no other way to access food. We are very grateful to the county for their donation and efforts.”

Unlike the familiar donation of retired Metro Vanpool vans authorized by the County Council, this vehicle is a surplus Road Services survey van that had been sitting idle in the County’s surplus yard since August 2013.