YOU CAN HELP: Big change @ West Seattle Food Bank to add hours, transform ‘model’

The West Seattle Food Bank is planning a big change that will enable it to be open for more hours, among other things, and if you’re thinking about how to help others this holiday season, here’s a way. It’s part of WSFB’s announcement:

This February, the West Seattle Food Bank will change its method of food distribution from a “distribution line” to a “shopping model.” It will feel more like a grocery store [example at right] and offer several advantages for the 9,300 individuals that rely on our services.

“We want to change the stereotype of what a food bank is,” said Executive Director Fran Yeatts. The Food Bank will provide more flexible hours for the 9,300 clients and offer a more dignified experience for those that rely on our services.

While we currently are open eight hours per week over three days, when we change to the shopping model we will be open 20 hours over four days. Instead of having staff or volunteers “hand out” the food, families will come in, grab a shopping cart, shop at their own pace, and make their own choices. With this model, “shoppers” will have greater access to more choices, and each household can choose the food that is nutritionally and culturally relevant for their members, leading to a much better experience.

How Can You Help Make It Happen?

The Food Bank has a goal of $40,000 — for upgraded lighting ($10,000) to save on electricity for years to come, a commercial freezer ($20,000), and a commercial cooler ($10,000) to set up our new model. The freezer and cooler will allow us to offer the neighbors we serve more choices for dairy, meat and other products.

If you would like to help make a difference for our clients, you can make a tax-deductible donation – big or small – by sending a check made out to the West Seattle Food Bank at 3419 SW Morgan Street, Seattle, WA 98126 or going to donatenow.networkforgood.org/wsfbshoppingmodel.

We are very excited about this change as it will provide more flexible “shopping time” and a much more empowering experience for the families we serve.

JVP December 16, 2016 (10:04 am)

Looks like you’re evolving with the times, great to see. Count me in for support – check coming your way.

Lisa Ruiz December 16, 2016 (10:08 am)

That’s awesome!

JanS December 16, 2016 (10:19 am)

this will be a wonderful change, especially from the clients perspective

sc December 16, 2016 (11:05 am)

As a Boeing retiree have you contacted the Boeing Employee Community Fund for a grant?

Below is info on who they help.

The Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound (ECF) is an employee-owned and managed
charitable giving program. Since 1951 ECF has been building better communities and making a
positive impact in the Puget Sound region where our employees live and work.
ECF makes grants to local 501(c)3 Health & Human Service nonprofits, such as food banks, job training
programs,shelters, transitional housing, mental health services, low-income medical clinics,
youth programs and so much more.
We fund equipment, renovations and capital campaigns that positively impact the children, families
and individuals who seek assistance and support from your agency. ECF looks for the “direct client
benefit” of each grant to ensure that our employees’ contributions directly help those in need.

Pete December 16, 2016 (3:53 pm)

SC…that is a great fund and they have recently been very generous to the West Seattle Food bank so another request this soon is not doable. but thanks for the suggestion.

Delta in WS December 16, 2016 (12:12 pm)

After two bad experiences with the WSFB over the years, this seems to be a step in the right direction in reestablishing my confidence in the organization.