HomeMy WebLinkAbout121316_Renton Clothing Bank and REACHFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2016
City of Renton Contacts:
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator, 425-430-6569
City provides temporary space to Renton Kiwanis Clothes Bank and REACH Feeding
program
Former Chamber building offered for 24 months while a permanent solution is explored
Renton, WA – Two of the City of Renton’s long-standing human services organizations, the Renton Kiwanis
Clothes Bank and the feeding program run by the Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches (REACH), are facing
uncertain futures and the city has stepped in to provide a temporary solution. The two will be housed at the
Renton Airport in a building that was formerly occupied by the Chamber of Commerce. The arrangement will be a
temporary option as the city develops the airport master plan that will determine the long-term plans for the
building.
“Throughout our region we continue to see the growing need for basic necessities such as food and clothing and I
feel it is important that we step up and provide a temporary solution,” said Renton Mayor Denis Law. “It is vital to
keep the doors of the clothes bank and REACH feeding program open, especially during the holidays. This gives
these organizations the much-needed time to explore other options.”
The clothes bank has been located on South Third Street for almost 30 years and must move out by December 31.
In 2015, they estimated they helped over 1,600 people of all ages in Renton by providing clothing free of charge. It
is open Monday through Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Renton Clothes Bank began as an all-volunteer operation in 1965 and in 2000 the Renton Kiwanis Club
assumed sponsorship. In 2010, they were nominated as Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year
“We’re thankful to the city for stepping in to help,” said Clothes Bank President Jon Pozega. “We’ve been looking
for space but our limited budget has not allowed us to afford the market rate.”
The REACH Feeding program has been operating since 2015. They serve an evening meal on Friday, Saturday and
Sunday.
“Everyone in the community shares a responsibility to provide basic needs such as food, and I want to thank the
city for their unwavering commitment to help keep the doors of the REACH feeding program open,” said Maggie
Breen, Executive Director, REACH.
About the City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 101,300 (2016), is located on the southeast shore of Lake
Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace and favorable business
climate have attracted the attention of nationally recognized companies that are providing employees and their
families an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, the Seattle Seahawks, and the
eternal resting place of Jimi Hendrix. More information can be found on our website (rentonwa.gov), Facebook
page (CityofRenton) and Twitter (@CityofRenton).
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