Food Banks Running Low
The Salvation Army asks members of the community to help fill empty shelves in its food banks throughout Western Washington. Non-perishable foods are needed immediately to continue serving the increasing number of clients who visit the food banks monthly.
The Salvation Army operates 16 food banks throughout Western Washington. The locations, ranging from Bellingham to Longview, and include the Olympic Peninsula. Since 2010, the number of families needing food assistance has increased. Families must apply for food bank assistance from The Salvation Army, and qualify according to State and Federal income guidelines.
"Many families depend on our food banks to stretch their limited grocery dollars," said Major Doug Tollerud, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army in Washington, Northern Idaho and Western Montana. "They are men and women who work hard to make ends meet. But less food on our shelves means less food on their tables."
The recent decrease in Federal funding has directly impacted the quantity of groceries at the food banks. The Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) cut annual funds to King County in July, resulting in an approximate $150,000 loss for Salvation Army programs. Similar Salvation Army programs in other Western Washington counties received about 25% less than previous years.
"Fortunately, we continue to have strong relationships with local grocery stores, restaurants, farmers, and other non-profit organizations - their donations help fill the gap," added Major Tollerud. "But the need continues to grow, and the loss of Federal funding is serious." The Renton food bank, the largest of The Salvation Army's Western Washington locations, distributed 30.5 tons of food in July 2011, more than double its distribution in July 2010.
Members of the community are encouraged to deliver bags of non-perishable groceries to any Salvation Army food bank location in Western Washington. The most urgent items needed are: canned meat and tuna, peanut butter, canned fruit, cereal, rice, macaroni and cheese, and dry meals. Financial donations can be made here.
Donations can be dropped off at the following locations, Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm:
King County
Central Seattle (Pike Street) - 1101 Pike Street
South Seattle (White Center) - 9050 16th Avenue SW
North Seattle (Greenwood) - 9501 Greenwood Avenue North
Renton - 206 South Tobin Street
Federal Way - 26419 16th Avenue South, Des Moines
Bellevue - 911 164th Ave NE
Pierce County
Tacoma - 1110 South Puget Sound Avenue
Puyallup - 4009 9th Street SW
Snohomish County
Everett - 2525 Rucker Avenue
Thurston County
Olympia - 1505 North Avenue East
Kitsap County
Bremerton - 832 6th Street
Cowlitz County
Longview - 1639 10th Avenue
Lewis County
Centralia - 303 North Gold
Grays Harbor County
Aberdeen - 120 West Wishkah Street
Skagit County
Anacortes - 3001 "R" Avenue, #100
Whatcom County
Bellingham - 2912 Northwest Avenue
Clallam County
Port Angeles - 206 S. Peabody Street