Farm Bureau distributes COVID supplies to ag communities

BRIDGEPORT – The Bridgeport and Brewster school districts received some welcome support last Thursday, Sept. 3, when Paul Katovich, CEO of Highline Grain Growers delivered a load of hand sanitizer in five-gallon buckets, sanitizer dispensers, and face masks to help curtail the spread of coronavirus in the school.

Highline Growers is partnering with the Washington State Farm Bureau (WSFB) to provide COVID-19 supplies to the agriculture communities throughout Highline’s coverage area. With 50 locations spread throughout the northern quadrant of Eastern Washington, Highline’s footprint stretches from Wenatchee on the west to Spokane on the east and from Ritzville on the south to Brewster on the north.

“We’re handling the logistics to get the supplies out there,” said Katovich last Friday, Sept. 4. “Yesterday I made deliveries to schools in Orondo, Bridgeport, and Brewster.”

Katovich made an earlier delivery to the school district in his hometown of Waterville.

“Thank you so much for this incredibly generous donation of hand sanitizer by Highline Grain and The Farm Bureau,” the school district posted on the Farm Bureau’s Facebook site. “We are so lucky to have your support and assistance during this challenging time.”

Bridgeport School Superintendent Scott Sattler added his voice to the chorus of appreciation.

“We are very thankful that Paul delivered on behalf of the Farm Bureau through Highline.”

The Washington State Farm Bureau is comprised of more than 46,000 member families as the state’s largest general farm organization. Governor Inslee’s office has asked the Farm Bureau to help distribute 500,000 washable cloth face masks to farm workers around the state. Requests for face masks can be made online at wsfb.com/agriculture-mask-distribution/. Farms or employers need not be WSFB members to receive face masks.