For the Reporter

Metropolitan King County Council Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer on Monday presented the first annual MLK Medal of Distinguished Service Award for South King County to Debbie Christian.

“In recognition of her positive impact on the community through her efforts addressing the reality that hunger touches us all,” von Reichbauer said. “As a volunteer for various organizations and causes, Debbie helps to keep her community a great place to live and raise families.”

Christian, the executive director of Auburn Food Bank since 2006, previously served 26 years with the Northwest Family Church.

With past food bank president Bill Kyle, Christian initiated the Food to Go program to provide weekend meals to children who rely on school meals as their primary source of food and nutrition.

Christian serves on several community boards including the Auburn Homeless Task Force, the Auburn Domestic Violence Task Force, and co-chairs One Nite Count-Auburn. She has also served on the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Board and Wesley Homes Foundation Board. She is a Leadership Institute alumnus and a member of its 10th year anniversary class.

“I am honored to recognize someone who helps those during their most desperate time by supplying them with the basics of life,” von Reichbauer said. “Debbie has a long and generous history of providing much-needed support for our neighbors and communities, and her work today will help future generations have a great place to live.”

Over the years, Christian has been recognized for her service to the community. She was Kiwanian of the Year (1991-92), received the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Service Award in 1992, was named the Auburn Reporter Person of the Year in 2008, and earned the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2009.

In 2015, the state Senate recognized Christian with Senate Resolution 8673 for her work in the greater Auburn area.