Issaquah Food Bank Needs Your Help

Issaquah Food Bank Director Cori Walters knows that the holidays are coming and that means you may think the food bank wants your donations of stuffing or canned pumpkin. “Actually, we have enough holiday food donations already,” she says. But the need to feed your hungry neighbors remains great. Many of the Issaquah Food Banks clients are children, families with two working parents who still must utilize the food bank to make ends meet, the homeless, seniors and the disabled.  Here are five ways you can help the Issaquah Food Bank feed your hungry neighbors this holiday season.

Attend the First Annual Recipe for Hope Breakfast Oct. 17th

Walters is excited about this event, which will take place Thursday, October 17th  at the Eastridge Church from 7 am to 8:30 am. For a suggested donation of $100, guests will enjoy breakfast while hearing from a number of inspiring speakers including a current and former client of the food bank. Donations will help the Issaquah Food Bank purchase more healthy food, including fresh produce and food to meet special dietary requirements, says Walters. RSVP for the event online. 

Donate Desired Items

Check the food bank’s website for an updated list of items that it has too many donations of, which currently includes canned cranberries, pasta and rice. Right now the items most needed as donations are canned chicken, tuna and salmon, fresh produce, eggs, peanut butter and jelly, canned corn, baby formula and shelf stable milk. 

The food bank also has a list of non-food items on its website that clients often utilize that you are encouraged to donate. The current list includes baby wipes, toiletries including soap, shampoo and toothpaste, laundry and dish soap, diapers, camping equipment, clothing, brand new underwear and socks and tents.

Consider Donating Online Or By Mail

Walters says your tax-deductible donation is essential to serving the growing number of client the Issaquah Food Bank serves. Funds are needed to support clients in a variety of ways, including the food bank’s Emergency Assistance Program which helps client stay in their homes and provide heat for their families during the cold months ahead. Donation information is available here. 

Volunteer

Your time is one of the most precious things you can share with the Issaquah Food Bank’s clients. Walters says, “we need consistent regular volunteers, ages sixteen and older.” She is also looking for “board and committee members who can provide strategic thinking, specialized skills and connections to resources.”  Groups of volunteers from church groups, Scout Troops, schools and other organizations are also welcome. Get started volunteering by filling a volunteer enrollment form, available on the food bank’s website, then calling 425 392-4123.  

Make a Donation to the Issaquah Food Bank at the Issaquah Fred Meyer, Safeway, QFC or Front Street Market Saturday, October 12th 

Saturday, October 12th, from 10 am to 4 pm, Issaquah Food Bank volunteers will be at local stores with lists for shoppers of the donations the food bank needs the most that can be purchased at the stores and volunteers from local church groups will be helping collect those donations and getting them to the food bank.