The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2019 Food and Nutrition Part I Request for Proposals (RFP) that closed on April 11. Applicants were invited to provide food and support the system of food delivery to low-income individuals and families in Seattle who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, hunger. The RFP guides the investment of more than $4 million of funding in Seattle's Emergency Food System through two strategies – Food Security & Access and Food System Support.
HSD received 33 eligible applications from organizations that were invited to apply to one or both strategies. The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to announce the results of the 2019 Food and Nutrition Part I Request for Proposals (RFP) that closed on April 11. Applicants were invited to provide food and support the system of food delivery to low-income individuals and families in Seattle who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, hunger. The RFP guides the investment of more than $4 million of funding in Seattle’s Emergency Food System through two strategies – Food Security & Access and Food System Support.
HSD received 33 eligible applications from organizations that were invited to apply to one or both strategies. These were reviewed by committees whose members represented, and worked with, focus and priority populations. Reviewers also had content expertise with the emergency feeding system in Seattle and King County. Reviewers were age, gender and ethnically diverse and represented multiple cultures and communities: African, African American, Asian, Latinx, LGBTQ, Native American, Immigrant, and white.
The committees recommended 14 agencies receive funding, ranging between $80,000 and $305,590, to support food banks:
- Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS)
- Ballard Food Bank
- Byrd Barr Place
- El Centro de la Raza
- Family Works
- Food Bank at St Mary’s
- Jewish Family Service
- North Helpline
- Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank
- Puget Sound Labor Agency
- Rainier Valley Food Bank
- Seattle Indian Center
- University District Service League
- West Seattle Food Bank
The funding will support a number of efforts such as increasing food bank capacity, expansion of home delivery programs, backpack programs, and community connector services for a diverse range of communities in Seattle.
The committees also recommended 7 agencies receive funding, ranging between $35,000 and $100,000, to support meal programs:
- Community House Mental Health Agency
- Community Lunch on Capitol Hill
- FareStart
- Mary’s Place
- Phinney Neighborhood Association
- Recovery Cafe
- Sound Generations
In addition to meal programs, the funding will also support job training in meal preparation and culinary arts for low income adults, a program which involves clients in designing the menus, and increased emphasis on nutrient-rich and culturally appropriate meals for diverse communities in Seattle.
The committees also recommended 7 agencies receive funding, ranging between $52,485 and $310,569, for food systems support and enhancement:
- Backpack Brigade
- Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County
- Hunger Intervention Program (HIP)
- Lifelong
- Mercy Housing Northwest
- Operation Sack Lunch (OSL)
- Solid Ground Washington