07 June 2011

The Salvation Army Renton Corps annual dinner fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, June 22, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The sixth annual event, "Need Knows No Season," will be held at the Renton Senior Activity Center. Money raised at the event will benefit The Salvation Army Renton Corps Food Bank.

The Salvation Army Renton Corps Food Bank continues to be a valuable asset in the community. In 2010, more than 213,000 residents depended on the Food Bank for food and cooking ingredients. Captain Terry Masango, Renton Corps Officer, witnessed the increase. "Every week, we see new families coming to the Food Bank. In this economy, they rely on The Salvation Army to help stretch their grocery dollars," he said.

Plus, The Salvation Army Renton Corps has seen a significant spike in demand for other services. The Renton Community Supper started by Captain Masango almost one year ago has expanded to four nights each week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday). Each night, a home-cooked dinner is served at 5:30pm to the homeless, senior citizens, and people living on the edge. In April 2011, 1,105 people were served, with a high of 93 people one night. "The Need Knows No Season fundraiser will raise money to help keep all programs available to the needy in our community," added Captain Masango.

The event is hosted by Renton Corps Advisory Council members, and led by event chairwoman Toni Nelson. Committee members include Marcia Loreth, Marcie Palmer, Debbie Russell, Janice Tanner, and Peggy Ziebarth. 

The event is especially poignant to the community of Renton, as it also marks the departure of Captains Terry and Rutendo Masango. The Salvation Army Officers have led the Renton Corps for five years, and will be reassigned to San Diego beginning July 1. As Salvation Army Officers, the Captains expect to be reassigned throughout their careers. The commitment of being an Officer includes moving your family frequently, and accepting reassignments based on career development and filling the needs of The Salvation Army locations. The assignment in San Diego is an acknowledgement of the Captains' significant growth of the Renton Corps programs and service to the community.

The event will begin at 5:30pm, with a social hour and punch and musical entertainment by young students currently enrolled in The Salvation Army School of Music. A buffet dinner will begin at 6:30pm, followed by a program hosted by Captain Terry Masango. The program will include an update on the work of The Salvation Army in Renton, and heart-warming stories about the lives changed by The Army.

Sponsorships of "Need Knows No Season" are currently available at various financial levels. To date, top-tier sponsors include Fred Meyer Stores, Kaye-Smith, and David and Susan Holt. Attendees can sponsor a table (eight seats) for $1,000. For information about sponsorships, please call The Salvation Army Renton Corps at 425-255-5974, Extension 15.

Guests can RSVP for the event by calling The Salvation Army Renton Corps at 425-255-5974, ext. 15. Although there is no charge for attending the event, guests are expected to make a financial donation to the Renton Corps that evening. The Renton Senior Activity Center is located at 211 Burnett Avenue North, on the Cedar River; parking is available in the adjacent lots.

Friends who can't attend the event, but still wish to make a donation, should send contributions to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 977, Renton, WA, 98057.