The Human Services Department is pleased to announce funding awards for the Community Connectors at Food Banks Program. Nine agencies will receive funding to provide onsite assistance to food bank clients, linking them with services such as housing, health care, child care, education, and employment. The Seattle City Council approved a total of $ 733,000 that will be distributed to nine food banks across Seattle.
“The mission of the Human Services Department is to connect people with resources and solutions during times of need so we can all live, learn, work and take part in strong, healthy communities. This pilot program exemplifies our mission, by strengthening hubs in neighborhoods across the city to be able to connect people in our Seattle community with healthy food options,” said Human Services Director Catherine Lester. “I am so pleased to be able to partner with our network of nonprofit agencies on this pilot. By investing in these nine organizations, we are able to offer more resources for people who may not otherwise be able to access nutritional food and meal services.”
North Seattle:
Ballard Food Bank-$69,343
The Ballard Food Bank’s mission is to help clients gain access to healthy food and achieve self-sufficiency. Their community resource hub takes a holistic approach to link clients to resources that meet their diverse needs to ultimately achieve self-sufficiency.
North Helpline-$ 80,670
North Helpline has served the North Seattle community for 28 years by assisting neighbors in obtaining basic needs that affirm their human dignity and worth. The organization began when neighbors came together to help their neighbors in need, providing financial assistance to prevent utility shut-off and eviction. Currently, North Helpline operates a food bank program in Lake City and the Bitter Lake neighborhoods.
University District Service League – $68,674
University District Food Bank has supported low-income, food insecure residents of Northeast Seattle for more than 34 years. Since July 2016, University District Food Bank has provided services from their new location at 5017 Roosevelt Way NE, adjacent to the University Branch of the Seattle Public Library and co-located with 49 units of affordable housing including 20 targeted to young adults. Their mission is to provide individuals and families who are in need with food and access to a network of community resources that helps them achieve self-sufficiency.
Central District/West Seattle:
Asian Counseling and Referral Service in partnership with Pike Market Food Bank – $100,600
The mission of Asian Counseling and Referral Service is to promote social justice, well-being and empowerment of Asian and Pacific Islander individuals, families and communities by advocating for innovative community-based multilingual and multicultural services. In downtown Seattle, the Pike Market Food Bank serves people of all ages who face hunger. Asian Counseling and Referral Service and Pike Market Food Bank will share one Community Connector between the food banks located in the Chinatown-International District and downtown Seattle.
Centerstone – $76,098
Centerstone’s mission is to help people help themselves and each other as they move from poverty to self-sufficiency through programs and advocacy. As a community lifeline, they feed the hungry through their food bank, prevent homelessness through housing assistance and keep people warm through energy assistance.
West Seattle Food Bank in partnership with White Center Food Bank – $109,850
The mission of the West Seattle Food Bank is to provide food security and community connections to their neighbors in need. The goal of the White Center Food Bank is to nourish community, nurturing self-reliance and embracing their neighborhood’s rich cultural diversity. For both agencies, ensuring low-income families have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets dietary needs and cultural preferences are priorities. A community connector will split time between the two food banks in the High Point and White Center neighborhoods.
South Seattle:
El Centro de la Raza – $82,525
Over half of program participants at El Centro’s food bank live in zip codes 98144 (North Beacon Hill, Mt. Baker) and 98108 (South Beacon Hill, South Park). Most participants are part of communities at high-risk of food insecurity. An important component of the program is delivering service to limited English-speaking populations.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul – $64,923
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic volunteer organization, leads individuals to join together to offer person-to-person service to the poor and the suffering. Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s Georgetown Food Bank will be home to their community connector. This food bank has been serving the diverse population of the Georgetown and SoDo neighborhoods for over 20 years.
Rainier Valley Food Bank – $80,317
Rainier Valley Food Bank is one of the City’s most in-demand resources for emergency food, and is found in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city. Rainier Valley Food Bank is accessible to anyone in need of food assistance and is one of Seattle’s busiest food banks.
