The gift of time: Kilby family makes volunteering with Second Harvest a tradition

Madison and Hunter Kilby had a valid reason for leaving school early on Friday.

As per their family tradition, their mom, Donelle Kilby, brought them to Rosauers to help Second Harvest during the annual Tom’s Turkey Drive.

Feeling fortunate and wanting to give back, Donelle and Madison, 17, began helping with Tom’s Turkey Drive about nine years ago.

“There’s so many less fortunate people that we want to help out and give our time as much as possible,” Donelle Kilby said.

When Hunter, now 11, was old enough, he started to volunteer with Second Harvest, which distributes free food to those in need in 26 counties in Eastern Washington and North Idaho via more than 250 food banks and meal centers, too.

“He’s loves it,” his mother said. “He’s asking in June when he can come and do Tom’s Turkey Drive.”

On Friday, mother and daughter were accepting donations outside Rosauers, and Hunter was helping bring Tom’s Turkey Drive bags to a display at the front of the store. Both Madison and Hunter proudly wore turkey hats while doing so.

“Customers are great, and everybody wants to give,” Kilby said.

The family also volunteers in Second Harvest’s sorting room throughout the year and has donated turkeys in the past.

Hunger relief is especially important to Kilby because she realizes a necessity like food is not available to everyone and that those who have it sometimes take it for granted.

She hopes that by bringing her children to volunteer, they see how fortunate the are and are inspired to keep volunteering as they grow.

“It’s a feel-good thing and it makes us feel good,” Kilby said. “I’m hoping when they get older they do the same thing with their kids.”