Plans is to be on the road by February

Bonney Lake Food Bank Director Stew Bowen asked Santa Claus for a special gift this year, and he must of been very good all year.

Bowen found out last week he had the funding for a refrigerator truck to serve the needs of the community.

It happened when he went to the post office Dec. 15 to pick up the mail and a $35,000 check from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe was waiting for him.

Bowen had applied to the tribe for a grant to get funding to purchase and operate a refrigerator truck.

“I was standing in the post office crying,” Bowen said. “(It was) knowing we’d have the ability to help so many people that lights my heart on fire.”

Louisa Smith had helped Bowen get $5,000 from the Kiwanis Club of Puyallup in July, and the local Kiwanis gave $500 to the cause. The Model T Club gave $1,000 and the Bonney Lake Senior Center $2,500.

Bowen now has about $50,000 to purchase and operate a refrigerator truck to serve the area.

The truck will allow Bowen to work with food banks around the region and it will expand the storage capacity for perishable items.

Bowen said he expects to have the truck purchased and on the road by February.

The director said he has five people looking for a truck that is “the latest model and lowest mileage at the best price. These folks have entrusted these funds to us to get the best price we can.”

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.