Meet Marcus Trufant and help Coast Guard families in need

Looking for a way to help a family in need whose income was affected by the government shutdown? From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, the Ballard and Issaquah Fred Meyers will collect food and supplies for local Coast Guard families who have not been receiving a paycheck.

Former Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant will be signing autographs at the Ballard Fred Meyer between 10 and 11:30 a.m.

“It doesn’t matter where you stand on the [political] issue, but there are families and there are people who are going to work, and they’re not being paid for it,” he said. “I wanted to lend a hand, and I wanted to help out in any way I could.”

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Over 3,000 active duty and reserve Coast Guard members, civilian employees, and Coast Guard Auxiliary stationed in the Pacific Northwest have been working without pay since the shutdown began a month ago.

As a result, the Seattle Coast Guard food bank has been running short in recent weeks.

You can bring non-perishable food, clothing (including baby clothes), personal items, household items, and cash donations to Fred Meyer. Cash donations will be matched up to $10,000.

“It’s cool to see the community of business, and just people in general, that are rallying around this cause,” Trufant said. “I love to be part of stuff like this here locally; I was born and raised here.”

If you are on the Eastside, you can still meet a Seahawks legend — former Seattle sportscaster Tony Ventrella will be at the Issaquah Fred Meyer.

The Ballard Fred Meyer is located at 915 NW 45th St., Seattle. The Issaquah Fred Meyer is located at 6100 E. Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE.