Give-a-Gallon ends Monday

SANDPOINT — June is National Dairy Month, and the Give-a-Gallon promotion, which provides milk to families in need, ends Monday.

Second Harvest partnered with the Dairy Farmers of Washington this month to help fill a summer gap, when children no longer have consistent access to milk at school breakfast and lunch.

"During the school week, each child receives 10 half pints of milk. So when they are out of school, that steady source of essential nutrients is gone," said Jeff Steele, partnership development director for the Dairy Farmers of Washington.

Not only is milk rich in protein, it also provides eight other essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamins. These nutrients are important to the growth and development of young children, as well as the health of the elderly in our communities.

Give-a-Gallon is part of the Dairy for Life program, in which dairy farmers and Second Harvest work together to provide milk to families year round.

To participate in Give-a-Gallon, customers will find donation scan cards in the dairy section or near the cash register, through Monday, at the local Yoke's and Safeway stores.