It’s not just YOUR grocery bill that’s rising …

You’ve heard the national-news stories about the rising price of staples like rice and wheat … and you’ve seen it when you go to the grocery store. But if you think your budget is tight, try running a food bank and trying to maximize every last fraction of a cent. Local food banks are hurting worse than ever as a result – not just from having to pay more for the food they buy, but also because the higher prices are sending more families their way for help — but the bright spot is that, donating to them in the next week not only will help with the crunch, it will also help them qualify for matching funds as part of a national “challenge” we’ve mentioned before. Here’s an update from Eve Holt at West Seattle Food Bank:

April 30th is the last day for donations to the West Seattle Food Bank that can be submitted for matching funds from the Feinstein Foundation’s $1 Million Challenge.

Donations of food and cash are especially needed right now because of rising food prices. Most of what the Food Bank has to buy is costing more and there has been a significant increase in the number of families coming to the Food Bank for help.

Checks may be mailed to West Seattle Food Bank, 3419 SW Morgan, Seattle, WA 98126. Credit card donations can be made by calling Eve Holt at (206) 932-9023 or online at www.westseattlefoodbank.org. A list of suggested food donations can also be found on the organization’s Web site.

The Food Bank’s first-ever Instruments of Change fundraiser is coming up one week from tonight, by the way. One other note: Part of southern West Seattle is served by the White Center Food Bank, which is also participating in the challenge; find its donation info here.

3 Replies to "It's not just YOUR grocery bill that's rising ..."

  • Jiggers April 24, 2008 (12:15 pm)

    I would say about 80% of West Seattle doesn’t eat white or any rice at all. Rice is part of my diet because I cook at home quite often. Mash Potatoes and Pasta are way worse for you health wise. Plus, MP only goes good with some dishes like Meatloaf with da gravy all over it. I guess that means Asian restaurants will have to jack up the price of their dishes that have rice, or just serve rice ala carte from now on.

  • Melissa April 24, 2008 (1:18 pm)

    I’d like to add this from the White Center Foodbank website because, well, it’ll be clear from the quote, I think. I know it’s a direct quote, but in this case I don’t think anyone will mind:
    “White Center hosts twice as many families living in poverty compared to the rest of King County, where one in three families does not earn a living wage. The White Center Food Bank provides emergency food to over 1,200 hungry families each month.”

    White Center isn’t home to as many prospering businesses as West Seattle is, so they don’t recieve as many of those big corporate donations as West Seattle’s food bank does. Please keep the White Center Food Bank in mind. Thank you.

  • SLK April 24, 2008 (4:42 pm)

    If you shop at Metropolitan Market or West Seattle Thriftway, you can send (or drop off) your receipts to West Seattle Food Bank and the grocery store will donate 1% of their value. A painless way to make a contribution (and feel like you are getting a little more for your money at the grocery store)!

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