(POST-)SHUTDOWN SURVIVAL: Food drive kicks off in West Seattle with Seahawk on Saturday

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Though the federal shutdown is ending – at least temporarily – it’s still left a big and growing need for food donations, and that’s the reason a statewide food drive is kicking off tomorrow. Safeway and Albertsons stores statewide will have bins for Northwest Harvest; Admiral Safeway will host a kickoff event noon-4 pm tomorrow (Saturday), with Doug Baldwin from the Seattle Seahawks visiting at 1 pm. Donations will benefit local food banks; for Admiral Safeway, that’s West Seattle Food Bank, whose development director Judi Yazzolino explains, “Even though the government shutdown is over we will still be overwhelmed with need because everyone with SNAP benefits got them 2 weeks early and won’t get them again until Feb. 1st.” All are welcome to the event at Admiral Safeway (2622 California SW).

Yma January 25, 2019 (8:08 pm)

Please don’t vilify me – but…northwest harvest is out there for everyone in need – which is fantastic. For those acutely affected by shutdown, is this the venue? I have read that CoastGuard has a specific & different drop off.

Pelicans January 25, 2019 (11:54 pm)

Dear All,The Coast Guard’s food pantry is open on the base from about 1100 to 1400 and it empties out quickly on those days. Junior enlisted personnel are bearing the brunt of this. Some of the ones I work with are finding second and sometimes third jobs to make do, to pay mortgages, rent, medical (yes, not all of it is covered) and food. Those jobs are in addition to their 12 hour watches. I checked out the sign at the self checkout stand @ Safeway tonight saying they and NW Harvest are helping govt workers, but it didn’t give enough specifics, or directions to receive help, so I didn’t contribute . I have in years past, though. (Please, not to put down NWH, the sign just didn’t tell me how much of my $ went where.)The Fred Meyer thing is a wonderful gesture and we are so grateful to all who got this going.I’m a Coastie, but this reopening today is temporary. It could all go back to $h1t on the 15th.And we could all be faced w/the same damned situation 3 weeks from now.Please give what you can to your local food banks, Westside Baby, etc. ALL furloughed /working w/o pay govt workers and active duty Coasties need your help. Thank you, everyone, for all you do.Kindest Regards,Pelicans
bertha January 26, 2019 (8:32 am)

Please reread the article. The Coast Guard was not mentioned. Families receiving SNAP benefits are going to experience a much longer period between receiving benefits. Thousands of federal employees have been impacted by the shutdown not just the Coast Guard and this impacts the entire community. This is not a food drive just for federal employees but all families in need. NWH is anticipating and is probably already experiencing an increase in need during a time when donations typically decrease.
newnative January 26, 2019 (11:50 am)

This is a valid question because not everyone can give everywhere. https://komonews.com/news/local/food-bank-opens-for-coast-guard-families-struggling-amid-shutdown This article explains the specific needs of the Coast Guard and who is helping. However, like others have said, this shutdown has affected a broad range of people and the food banks have been stretched thin during a time that people traditionally stop donating. Charity Navigator has also recommended giving to your local food bank, wherever it may be.

Kiki5K January 25, 2019 (8:15 pm)

Thanks for hosting the food drive! Federal employees most likely won’t get paid for another 2 weeks due to the way pay periods fall so this support is still much needed.

Pelicans January 26, 2019 (12:07 am)

Don’t know how soon the CG military will be paid, but they’ve already missed 15 Jan pay, and depending on how fast the pay centers can stand back up, they may not get the 01 Feb pay on time, either. Tentative word this afternoon is that it may take a couple of weeks for CG civilians to receive their 2 missed checks (only speculation at this point.)Pelicans

just wondering January 26, 2019 (8:47 am)

Hungry is hungry. Give to whatever Food Drive you can. And you can also donate cash which Northwest Harvest can use to make bulk purchases at lower prices.

Yma January 26, 2019 (9:03 am)

Probably a drop in the bucket – but… if there is a neighbor who is/has suffered from shutdown, could we organize a meal drive? – like what is done for new moms/ major surgery. will that even help?

just wondering January 26, 2019 (2:07 pm)

Don’t all oceans start with a drop?

newnative January 26, 2019 (1:13 pm)

Pretty sure this is Richard Sherman that’s here.

WSB January 26, 2019 (1:49 pm)

Doug Baldwin is who was announced (see the linked news release). But hey, I hope Seahawks fans are happy whoever showed up! (added) Tweets say “current and former” Seahawks are there. We unfortunately are not due to my co-publisher/photographer recovering from a weeklong illness but I am hopeful the Food Bank, whose events otherwise we photograph without fail, will share pic(s) later.
SuperAwesome January 26, 2019 (2:03 pm)

Sherman and Baldwin were both there! Great job Safeway and the Seahawks for doing what they can to help.

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