Community Corner highlights the work of Seattle Human Services’ community partners in their own words. Our goal is to gather stories and photos that illustrate their amazing work on behalf of the people of Seattle. This post was provided by Julia Smiljanic at Rainier Valley Food Bank (also follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn).
When was your organization founded, and what role does it fill in the community?
Our organization was originally established in 1991 as Northwest Community Services. In 2008, our organization scaled to serve increasing need and began serving under the name of Rainier Valley Food Bank. Today, Rainier Valley Food Bank provides food support and connections to resources to more than 16,700 neighbors every year.
Earlier this year, Rainier Valley Food Bank opened a new, $17-million resource hub. How is this facility serving the needs of the community?
The Room for All Campaign is transforming Rainier Valley Food Bank and South Seattle, standing up a community food hub where everyone has access to nourishing food and community resources, support, and care. This building represents an investment in intentional infrastructure that meets our neighbors’ needs today and for years to come.
It provides:
- A more welcoming and dignified shopping experience — where every guest feels respected and seen.
- Expanded cold and dry storage — to distribute more fresh, local, and culturally relevant food.
- Gathering space for community connection and collaboration — where service partners and neighbors come together in care and solidarity.
- Improved physical and mental health by reducing stigma around accessing services, cultivating a sense of connection and belonging, and providing access to care.
- Meaningful relationships between guests, volunteers, and community partners as together we share meals, learn new skills, and engage in collective action against hunger
How do RVFB’s programs and services help to reduce the disparities experienced by people of color living in our region?
RVFB is the primary emergency food resource for one of Seattle’s most racially, ethnically, and economically diverse neighborhoods. This neighborhood is home to many people of color, immigrants, and refugees who regularly face systemic obstacles to living wage employment, affordable housing, and food security. It is home to a wide disparity of living standards where multi-million-dollar homes are down the street from Section Eight housing.
Our food bank takes a multifaceted approach to ending hunger, coupling food support with resources like financial aid, and empowering our neighbors to thrive.
With the holiday season coming up, what needs are you anticipating from community members, and how can people get involved?
The holiday season always brings more folks to our doorstep. We’re stocking up on the essentials for the holiday season, including cranberry sauce, cranberries, green beans, herbs, gravy, stuffing mix, black eyed peas, and rice. Help stock our shelves by hosting a holiday food drive or shopping our Amazon wish list.
What keeps your staff going during challenging times?
The way the community continues to show up step in step with us reminds us that we’re never alone in this work. As we bring our new Community Food Hub to life, we’re looking for more volunteers to help power our programs.