Community

Food Bank Benefits From Day of Caring

Leave a comment

by Susan Fried 

Fridays are typically bustling at the Rainier Valley Food Book (RVFB). The final day of most people’s work weeks is just the beginning for Food Bank workers who hustle to unload and stock just delivered produce and toiletries.

RB Food Bank 5 (1 of 1)
The Rainier Valley Food Bank’s Miguel Jimenez directs volunteers. [Photo: Susan Fried]
They received an assist this past one as part of United Way’s Annual Day and Night of Caring on September 15. About a dozen volunteers including Gates Foundation CEO Sue Desmond- Hellmann assisted in everything from unloading pallets of strawberries, bagging up dog food, and reorganizing the RVFB storage area.

RB Food Bank 1 (1 of 1)
Gates Foundation CEO Sue Desmond- Hellmann unloads carts of strawberries. [Photo: Susan Fried]
The Rainier Valley Food Bank, which has operated since 1991, allows any person facing food insecurity to pick up items. It’s currently the busiest food bank in the city, serving approximately 600 families each Wednesday and Saturday. This roughly rounds out to RVFB fulfilling 22,000 food requests a month.

Although the food bank receives donations, much of the food it gives out is purchased. For this reason food sourcing is extremely important according to the RVFB Executive Director Sam Osborne.  

Osborne says RVFB attempts to  directly work with local farms in acquiring fresh seasonal produce year round. He also says the Food Bank is committed to providing healthy nutritious food to Southeast Seattle’s low income residents who are in need of their assistance.

The RVFB is currently seeking additional donations and volunteers as their clientele continues to grow. More information can be obtained at their website rvfb.org.