Cool Desert Nights canceled over coronavirus. Food and other donations help Tri-Citians
Two more iconic Tri-Cities events have fallen victim to the new coronavirus.
Organizers of the classic car, street rod and motorcycle events, Cool Desert Nights and Hogs & Dogs, have canceled the 2020 shows.
The West Richland Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the annual events scheduled for June 25-28 will not be held this year. Next year’s events are set for June 24-27, 2021.
Cool Desert Nights has attracted visitors to Richland for more than 25 years. It features car cruises, a show and shine, as well as other events such as a pancake breakfast, kid zone and more.
Hogs and Dogs was set to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. The one-day motorcycle event is held in West Richland.
Free pizza for hospital workers
Any hospital worker can get free pizza from now until June 1 at Stick + Stone Neapolitan Wood-Fired Pizza.
The artisan pizza place at 3027 Duportail St. in Richland is offering a free 8-inch pie to any person working in a hospital — including cleaning staff, administrators, doctors, nurses and others.
Customers just need to show a valid hospital identification. Call 509-627-2450 to order.
Arts task force offers grants
The Arts Center Task Force is helping Tri-Cities artists who have lost income because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ACTF COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund will provide unrestricted grants to both individuals as well as organizations and groups. The task force based in Richland will give all money raised in the fund directly to recipients of the grants.
Donations to the fund and applications for the grants are being accepted at artscentertaskforce.com.
Donation to Second Harvest
Second Harvest of Tri-Cities received a large food donation from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The church gave 28 pallets of dry goods to the nonprofit food distribution center including pastas, flour, cake mixes and more.
Donations cover rent for families
Nine families facing hardships because of the coronavirus pandemic will have their rent covered for six months by Elijah Family Homes.
Elijah Family Homes’ Transition to Success Program serves low-income families with children who do not qualify for public housing because of past criminal offenses involving drugs or alcohol.
The group launched a fundraiser effort April 7 and raised $15,000 to cover expenses for eligible families. The organization has set a $50,000 goal for the campaign.
To donate, go to Elijahfamilyhome.org or mail checks written to Elijah Family Homes - Fund-A-Family to P.O. Box 2005, Richland, WA 99352.
For more information and how to apply for the program, go to the website, the Elijah homes Facebook page or call 509-943-6610.
Ask a librarian
Staff members at Mid-Columbia Libraries are giving online personalized recommendations during Washington’s stay home order.
Readers looking for guidance on their next digital book or audiobook can submit names of their three favorite authors or books to “Ask the Library” service at midcolumbialibraries.org/askus and receive several recommendations.
Suggestions for books in the library’s digital collection will be sent through text or email and can be access through the reading app Libby or at midcolumbialibraries.org/ebooks.
MCL’s 12 branches and Bookmobile remain closed through May 4 in compliance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s statewide stay home order.
Hanford help for United Way
United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties has been given $10,000 by Amentum, formerly Aecom, and its companies at Hanford.
The local United Way established a COVID-19 Community Response Fund to help nonprofits meet the immediate needs families have for food, child care, and mental and behavioral health services. It received $10,000.
“United Way’s network of community connections means it can get funding to the groups that can have the biggest impact quickly,” said Bruce Covert, Amentum senior vice president of operations at the vitrification plant. “This funding is desperately needed.”
The United Way fund earlier distributed money to Senior Life Resources Northwest for Meals on Wheels and to the Salvation Army to distribute food boxes.
At Hanford Amentum companies include the prime subcontract at the vitrification plant and Washington River Protection Solutions, the Hanford tank farm contractor. They also donated $20,000 to Second Harvest.
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 2:39 PM.