SEATTLE — COVID-19 is impacting people in many ways, including increasing food insecurity. An estimated 2.2 million Washingtonians are facing food insecurity now, which is more than double the number before the pandemic. AT&T is partnering with KING 5 again this year for the Home Team Harvest to distribute food to those in need across the state.
“We’re excited to give back,” said Karin Garrido, VPGM at AT&T. “We know there’s a lot of folks out there, community members and our own employees, that are hurting. So just giving back, from our standpoint, has always been really important to us.”
AT&T helped donate nearly 8 million meals to the Northwest Harvest Food Bank last year as part of the Home Team Harvest event. Due to increased need this year, the event is hoping to donate 20 million meals.
Normally, the company would ask people to donate canned goods and non-perishables to drop-off boxes in AT&T stores across the area. However, due to social distancing guidelines, and the need to limit non-customer traffic at stores, AT&T is offering a text-to-donate option. A donation of $5 to Home Team Harvest this Giving Tuesday and throughout the holiday season can feed a family of four. You can text HOMETEAM to 41444 to give.
The company has also donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross to help Washington and Oregon come out of the wildfires, and employees have volunteered hours to pack and deliver food items to those in need. AT&T has also donated $10 million to Connected Nation to help students who don’t have internet access.
“As a mom myself, I’ve watched this happen, even in our own home,” Garrido said. “I’ve seen how important internet access is, especially to those who need it the most.”
Visit the Home Team Harvest website to learn more about how you can help meet the goal of 20 million meals donated to the Northwest Harvest Food Bank this year.
Sponsored by AT&T. Segment Producer Derek Haas. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.