Washington National Guard will help distribute food in our region

PASCO, Wash. - Governor Jay Inslee will deploy the Washington State National Guard to Walla Walla and Pasco, to ensure critical food banks remain stocked and operational. The humanitarian effort will begin tomorrow and last through the end of April.

The Walla Walla Sheriff's Office says the National Guard will not be conducting any law enforcement functions. National Guard members working in Walla Walla will mostly be from our area and not coming into our community from the outside, bringing any unknown illness with them.

Every member of the Guard will be medically screened prior to their duty at a food bank, or related task, making their efforts high reward and low risk to the community. "The activation of National Guard in Walla Walla [and Pasco], is only to help the community to be better equipped and nothing else," says the Walla Walla Sheriff's Office.