MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Senior Center recently got a helping hand from the local branch of Washington Federal.

The bank awarded the senior center a $1,500 grant this month, which will go to upgrading the center's "big yellow truck," Mary Kile said. Kile serves as secretary on the senior center's board of directors.

She said the "big yellow truck" is used to pick up appliances and furniture to sell at their thrift store and to pick up food items which are then given to seniors and others in need of food.

"Our truck is an integral part of the Moses Lake Senior Center," said Kile.

She said the truck has needed a tailgate lift, as the truck bed is high off the ground. A tailgate lift would make it easier for volunteers to load and unload items.

"We desperately needed one of those tailgate lifts," Kile said. "It needed one all along, and this year we decided that was the thing we were going to pursue."

She said they learned of a grant opportunity through the Washington Federal Foundation and applied for funding about two months ago. The foundation gives funding preference to senior centers and senior housing causes.

Kile said the bank's Moses Lake manager Ken McLain was helpful during the entire process.

The senior center eventually received word that they were approved, and ordered the lift from a company in Yakima. Once the lift is in, the truck will be taken to Yakima to have the lift installed.

It will cost about $5,000 to purchase and install the lift in the truck, Kile said. Washington Federal's grant is essentially covering about one-third of the cost.

The rest of the funding is from other smaller donations, she said.

Kile said it will be great once the truck returns from Yakima with the new lift. The truck makes it possible for the senior center to carry out some of their functions, she said.

"When you see our 'big yellow truck' it is on a mission to help our citizens," Kile said in a statement.