(Editor’s note: We’re spotlighting some of West Seattle’s nonprofits in the Christmas countdown, to help with the final push to make sure the people they assist get what they need for the holidays. Wednesday we focused on the West Seattle Food Bank; this morning, it’s the White Center Food Bank, which helps people in part of West Seattle too.)

By Lauri Hennessey
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The White Center Food Bank has taken a hit over the last year. Its executive director says the need for its services has increased up to 80 percent over the last 18 months. Still, Rick Jump says the food bank is surviving the economic downtown in some pretty creative ways — in no small part due to the local community stepping up.

Examples? This fall West Seattle’s Avalon Glassworks produced beautiful red glass apples as part of a WC Food Bank fundraiser. The apples are gorgeous — just $80 each (and there are still some left). Half of the proceeds from each apple goes to the food bank.

Plus, the food bank has received a donation of Christmas trees from IKEA and Evergreen High School. And, food bank board member Gary Fasso joined with the local Carpenters Union to create a new “carport style” produce shed. Now volunteers and customers can be protected from the rain as they look through produce.

Jump says the changes are all part of the food bank’s efforts to make it a bit more pleasant experience for those who come in for help. Just coming in for food is hard enough, he says, without having to stand out in the cold.

(Read on for what you can do NOW to help WC Food Bank before Christmas – and more)

“We are seeing so many new people,” Jump says. “There are just a lot of people who have never visited a food bank before. It is very, very hard for them to ask for help the first time. people who have never visited a food bank in their whole lives It is very, very hard to ask for help the first time.”

In the meantime, the food bank is offering an easy way for you to help those who need it most: Jump says the Safeway stores at Roxbury and Admiral both are doing food drives right now for ham. Hams given to the Admiral Safeway in the next few days will be split between the West Seattle and White Center Food Banks. Hams given to the Roxbury Safeway go to the WC Food Bank. Jump says you can also go to the food bank’s website to donate money, but bringing the kids to a Safeway and getting them involved in the donation can be fun, too.

Last month, the food bank served 1,966 families. For Thanksgiving alone, they served 913 families. Jump tells us that one of the hardest effects of the economy is watching kids deal with what is happening.

“Kids don’t understand unemployment and bad economic times,” he said. “They have high hopes. Families can’t do what they have done in the past this Christmas. This year, they are surviving,” he said.

Jump does caution West Seattleites that the holidays are not the end of hunger. He says donations fall way off in January and February but the need will continue. Distribution in White Center is Monday and Tuesday, 10 to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m., and Wednesday from 10 to noon, 1 to 3, and 5 to 7 p.m. The food bank is located at 10829 8th Ave SW (map); you can call 762.2848.

Next: WSB checks in with West Seattle Helpline, to see what holiday help they could use from you, as Christmas gets ever closer.