West Seattle Food Bank reports records – and gratitude

Even as signs of economic improvement break through the clouds, local nonprofits that help those in need are still very much in need themselves, of your ongoing support. Latest example: We heard this morning from West Seattle Food Bank board president Pete Spalding. He reports:

At our board meeting of the West Seattle Food Bank last night we were discussing our continuing to see record numbers of clients. I wanted to share with you that in July we served over 3,000 households, which worked out to over 7,600 individuals and we distributed over 100,000 pounds of food. The continuing generosity of the West Seattle community and our very loyal donor base is a never ending wonder to me.

To help all those people, it takes a lot of donations, from a lot of sources. Just this week, we’ve received info on results of a few contribution-yielding efforts – for example, the Holy Rosary Christmas Tree Lot reported its distribution from last season, including $2,057 to the WS Food Bank and two other nonprofits; the Food Bank also was among the beneficiaries from raffles that raised hundreds of dollars before West Seattle Junction Summer Outdoor Movies on the Wall presentations, and from the Paint Ball event that raised $500 at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) during last week’s West Seattle Art Walk. And while we were at the new Junction QFC store opening this morning, it was pointed out that they’ll be partnering with WS Food Bank in the “grocery rescue” program, where food that’s about to be “culled” from market stock will instead go to the food bank. You can donate any time online – just go here.

thankyouwestseattle September 16, 2009 (12:05 pm)

I’ve needed the services of the West Seattle Food Bank for several months now. Visiting once, or twice per month on the average, and on a few occasions three times.

A HUGE thank you to the residents, and businesses that contribute, plus to the Food Bank staff and volunteers, that with their kindness, and pleasant personalities, make what could be a humiliating experience, a pleasant one!

What? September 16, 2009 (12:55 pm)

Thank you QFC. I didn’t know that about you guys.
Please advertise a little more of the “grocery rescue”
program.

Pete September 16, 2009 (2:05 pm)

Most grocery stores do participate in these programs. They are associated with various food banks in our area. The West Seattle Food Bank recieves rescued food from QFC, both Safeways in WS and the PCC and Metropolitan Market. These are valuable sources of food to the food bank.

What September 16, 2009 (4:05 pm)

Very cool news. I’m sure the food bank works with local
p-patches.
Does it work with ALL of them, or does it only work with a few?

DLP September 16, 2009 (8:24 pm)

I’m curious purely on an “academic” level whether the 3000 families are 3000 separate families visiting the food bank only once during the month or if any of these families made more than one visit during the month. I know that it is sometimes difficult for food banks to track how many times an individual or a family accesses services in any given month.