Coastal Harvest honors Food Ball efforts

Executive Director Brent Hunter invited the Aberdeen and Hoquiam high school Food Ball advisers to the nonprofit’s Hoquiam distribution center Thursday to present them with awards of appreciation.

By Kat Bryant

The Daily World

Coastal Harvest recognized an extraordinary joint effort on Thursday.

Executive Director Brent Hunter invited the Aberdeen and Hoquiam high school Food Ball advisers to the nonprofit’s Hoquiam distribution center to present them with awards of appreciation.

The plaques read: “Thank you, Food Ball 2020 All-Stars, for your continuing efforts to help feed people in need.”

This year’s donation totals were significantly lower than in previous years, given the social restrictions on the normal Food Ball events and widespread belt-tightening brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the fact that the two schools decided to join forces and do what they could under the circumstances, cooperatively, was worthy of note, Hunter said.

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“I applaud you and commend you for going ahead and doing all you did with Food Ball,” he said as he presented the plaques. “Considering what has been going on, this means a lot.”

Advisers Katie Barr of Hoquiam and Ashley Kohlmeier of Aberdeen were both pleasantly surprised.

“I’m so excited to show this to the kids!” said Barr. “They did the best they could. They made phone calls, they did whatever they could online to raise as much money as they could.”

“But you know, we’ve got faithful people here on the Harbor who have donated,” she added. “It’s almost like they have it on their calendars — they just send in checks! So we’re grateful for an amazing community.”

Aberdeen Food Ball adviser Ashley Kohlmeier. (Kat Bryant | The Daily World)

Aberdeen Food Ball adviser Ashley Kohlmeier. (Kat Bryant | The Daily World)

Hoquiam Food Ball adviser Katie Barr. (Kat Bryant | The Daily World)

Hoquiam Food Ball adviser Katie Barr. (Kat Bryant | The Daily World)

Aberdeen Food Ball adviser Ashley Kohlmeier. (Kat Bryant | The Daily World)

Aberdeen Food Ball adviser Ashley Kohlmeier. (Kat Bryant | The Daily World)

Hoquiam Food Ball adviser Katie Barr. (Kat Bryant | The Daily World)

Hoquiam Food Ball adviser Katie Barr. (Kat Bryant | The Daily World)