Kennewick farmers market to open. And free McDonald’s fries

Kennewick market adapting how it operates is among the blood drives, donations happening in Tri-Cities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kennewick market changes

The Downtown Kennewick Farmers Market is on schedule to open June 4, said the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership.

The market — the only one in Benton County participating in the SNAP Market Match program — will be open 4-7 p.m. every Thursday through Oct. 22 at Flag Plaza, 204 W. Kennewick Ave.

“Our market will look a little bit different from years past,” says Market Manager Amber Maiden. “Safety is our number one priority at our market. We will have 10 feet of space between vendors, in addition to marks laid out on the ground for the public to know where to stand to best keep their distance.”

Volunteers will be at entrances to spray customers with hand sanitizer and multiple hand washing stations will be available throughout the market.

The number of customers will be limited at any given time, and flow of traffic will be controlled. Vendors are required to wear masks, and the public will be asked to do the same.

“Until a vaccine is in place, we must be mindful of public health for a safe and healthy market,” Stephanie Button, executive director of the downtown partnership told the Herald earlier.

“Part of the market is that we’ve encouraged people to linger. But during social distancing, it must be about the shopping and not the staying and playing,” she said.

Red Cross blood drives

The American Red Cross is holding drives throughout Tri-Cities for healthy individuals to donate blood or platelets to help ensure a stable blood supply during the coronavirus pandemic.

Anyone who donates blood or platelets May 15-31 will receive a T-shirt reading “We’re all in this together” via mail while supplies last.

Those who want to donate must make an appointment prior to the drive and are required to wear a face covering or a mask.

Appointments can be made by calling 800-733-2767, going to RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor app or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on an Alexa Echo device.

The group has scheduled the following blood drives:

• Richland Blood Donation Center, 447 Wellsian Way, Richland: noon to 5 p.m. May 18; 1 to 6 p.m. May 19; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 22; 1 to 6 p.m. May 26; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 29
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1321 Jadwin in Richland, from noon to 6 p.m. May 15
• American Red Cross, 7202 W Deschutes in Kennewick, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20
• Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7409 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 30

$9,000 for community fund

Dutch Bros Foundation donated $9,000 to the United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

The foundation is the philanthropic arm of Dutch Bros Coffee.

The COVID-19 relief fund is providing help to Tri-Cities area nonprofits that are feeding the hungry, addressing the mental and behavioral health impacts of the pandemic and providing emergency child care. The fund was established in late March.

Free McDonald’s fries

McDonalds is offering a free medium fries with a $1 minimum purchase through June 28.

The offer is only available through the mobile order and pay through the McDonald’s app, according to the website.

The McDonald’s App is available on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

This story was originally published May 14, 2020 at 2:16 PM.