Renton Firefighters Donate Food, Money To Salvation Army Food Bank

The Renton Firefighters, through the Renton Firefighters Benevolent Association, are responding to an urgent need in their community. On Monday Renton firefighters delivered a fire truck full of food donations and a check for $1,000 to the . Monday’s check is in addition to a $500 donations made earlier this year.

The donation came after Salvation Army Captain Chris Aird requested the help of Renton Fire and Emergency Services at a recent union meeting, said Captain Rick Marshall.

Aird’s plea spurred the group to respond with a motion to increase its annual donation of $500 to $1,500 and asked all union members to collect food from their home pantries for the food bank.

“We are trying to do a better job in being involved in our community,” said Marshall.

All six Renton fire stations participated in the food donation effort, said Captain Doug McDonald.

The Department has been more involved in the past, Marshall said, but with the economy, a decrease in donations to charity events and more firefighters living further and further away from Renton due to cost of living increases, participation in and support of community improvement projects has decreased within the department.

At the same time, need is increasing and firefighters see it every day when responding to emergency calls, he said.

Funds for community improvement projects are collected through the Renton Firefighter Benevolent Association (RFFBA), a new nonprofit 501 (c) 3 created in 2010. Contributions to the Association primarily come from Renton firefighters, although anyone can donate to the fund.

Past benefactors of the RFFBA include Renton Area Youth Services (RAYS), Friends of Youth, Griffin Boys Home, Vision House, Renton Rotary Salvation Army Food Bank, United Way, Good Shepard Group Home, Jerry’s Kids (MDA), Renton Historical Society, Renton Clothes Bank, Sam Chastain Scholarship Fund, Leukemia Society, and Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation.

In addition to the food and money donation to the Salvation Army, each station has adopted a family for the holidays and will be collecting food, clothing and gifts to their adopted family.

For more information about the Renton Firefighters Benevolent Association email rffba@iaff864.org, or call