With employees, customers and West Plains Chamber of Commerce members looking on, Grocery Outlet owners Dylan Hartung (center) and his fiance Tanja Reznick (right) cut the ribbon to commemorate the opening their store on Sept. 29.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was not the only special occasion during Grocery Outlet's Sept. 29 soft opening. Moments before Grocery Outlet owner Dylan Hartung cut the ribbon, he presented $1,000 in food donations to pastor Dale Jenkins of the Airway Heights Baptist Church.
"We'll use all of this food at our next distribution," Jenkins said with a laugh.
The church, located at 12322 W. Sunset Highway, has been a food pantry in Airway Heights for the last 14 years. It distributes food on the first and third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. – noon. Jenkins said the church serves 90 families in Airway Heights, Fairchild Air Force Base and northwest Spokane County.
In addition to the food donation, Grocery Outlet held a fundraiser during its Oct. 1 grand opening where it sold $1 hot dogs and soda. All of the proceeds from the fundraiser went to the Baptist Church.
Hartung partnered up with the church when he first came to Airway Heights four months ago.
"The church needed some donations for food and we wanted to lend a hand," Hartung said. "We decided it (the Baptist Church) was a good choice. We're doing our best to be a part of the community and help out."
Jenkins said the church recently acquired a refrigerated truck from Motion Auto Supply back in April for perishable foods. The church was able to purchase the truck without using grants or loans.
"We bought it through tithings and donations, no strings attached," Jenkins said.
Hartung said the fundraiser and donation are just the first steps of Grocery Outlet's partnership with the church. Jenkins said he is excited for the partnership to move forward.
"They've blessed us with the gift of food," Jenkins said.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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