Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy will donate salary increase to The Other Bank Program

Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy announced Friday she will donate a scheduled salary increase to charity.

McCarthy's scheduled annual increase of $4,000 begins July 1. State law does not allow elected officials to return cost-of-living increases, so McCarthy will donate hers to The Other Bank. It distributes personal hygiene and cleaning items to more than 13,000 low-income individuals and families in Thurston and surrounding counties each year. Items from The Other Bank cannot be purchased with food stamps, and about a third of the recipients are children.

“It's more important than ever to help those in need, particularly during this time of economic hardship caused by COVID-19,” McCarthy said. “The Other Bank fills an important role in supporting women and children.”

For several years the Interagency Committee for State Employed Women conducted an annual toiletry drive for The Other Bank. The Office of the Washington State Auditor is one of 13 state agencies whose representatives make up the ICSEW.

McCarthy said she is joining her colleague, Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, who earlier announced he would donate his upcoming salary increase to the Thurston County Food Bank.