This year’s Community Harvest Gala: Bread & Roses was rooted in the idea that everyone in our community deserves to access not only the “bread,” the food that nourishes our bodies, but the “roses,” representing joy and abundance. Together we gathered at Sodo Park, harnessing that spirit, to make this gala our most successful one yet, raising $250,000!

On June 28th, 2024, Rainier Valley Food Bank held a Groundbreaking Ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on their revitalization project for the new community food hub, planning to open in Fall 2025. People gathered to celebrate the creation of a space with enough room to address the many challenges that lead to hunger in our community.

This year, at the Community Harvest Gala, we celebrated so much more than just our success; we were excited to celebrate you, our community! You blew us away with your support, kindness, and generosity, making this year’s gala one of the most memorable and successful yet!

The 9021 Rainier Ave S building, which we now call home, has a long history of serving our South Seattle community. Before us, the building was a library, a mortuary, a bank, and a Chiropractor’s office – to say the least, our new home has a long, unique history of serving our community’s needs. Learn about how we are honoring our space this month by checking out our new blog post, and we hope to see you at an upcoming event!

We were so thrilled to gather with and celebrate our incredible community of volunteers last month. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to ensuring our neighbors in South Seattle don't have to go hungry truly makes our work possible. To those who joined us in person or in spirit, we're so grateful to be able to celebrate you!

Our 15th annual Cookie Party brought us back to Geraldine’s Counter, where we all enjoyed a meal and a lively raffle while decorating cookies. We couldn’t have asked for a better kickstart to our holiday season!

What could make a beautiful fall evening better than a chance to rekindle connections, meet new folks, and celebrate the growth and resilience of our organization?

Looking for a way to spend your downtime this summer? Plenty is happening around Rainier Valley, whether you like music, good food, or nature. You name it! Here is a list of budget-friendly activities you can check out with your family and friends in South Seattle.

Our first virtual 5K has come to a close! With the help of our nearly 20 participants, we raised more than $7,000 and brought in roughly 50 new donors throughout the month. A special thank you to Columbia Bank for providing us with sponsorship for this event. 

We’re thankful for the many donors who help fuel our annual operating budget by partaking in GiveBig. This year we were thrilled to have more than 200 donors throughout the month, raising nearly $58,000!

The 14th Annual Cookie Party went off without a hitch on December 6th, providing an opportunity for community members, Geraldine’s Counter, and the Rainier Valley Food Bank to get together and celebrate the holiday season.

Our Gala is a celebration of resilience and growth, as well as an opportunity to recognize the generosity of the community that has sustained RVFB over the last years. We invite you to celebrate with friends, new and old, as we applaud the past and look excitedly to RVFB’s future.

Learn from Seattle’s renowned chef and owner of the Jerk Shack, the Caribbean star of downtown, Trey Lamont, in an exclusive cooking class as he teaches you to prepare his famous Rasta Pasta! You will have the opportunity to ask questions and get firsthand tips as you get a view right into Trey’s kitchen. 

Are you ready to feed community and plant the seeds of justice? We need you now more than ever.

GiveBIG is May 5th & 6th (with extended donations until 5/15), and you have the opportunity to join thousands of your neighbors in supporting the local organizations that cultivate sustainable social change in the Seattle area.

Grab your best dancing shoes (we suggest boots), slick jeans,  & big hats! Y’all, it’s time to dine and dance the night away with Rainier Valley Food Bank. So buy your tickets and get ready to party with us at Seattle’s one and only 20-acre horse farm!

Time flies when you’re having fun! It’s already May, and y’all know what that means: our annual Urban Ag Bike Tour is right around the corner. Heading into our 5th year with support from Bike Works, participants have the opportunity to choose from FOUR tour dates! That’s four routes and four opportunities for cyclists of all levels to learn about our Southeast Seattle food system.

Yes folks, it’s March. With the fluctuation in weather around Seattle you’d think it was November! Luckily we have March Madness to keep us inside, cozy, and engaged while we wait for warmer weather. In addition to the competitive nature of March Madness, Rainier Valley Food Bank is continuing with our yearly #MunchMadness fundraiser in partnership with Rookies Sports Bar and Grill and Backyard.

We had another fabulous time at Rainier BAAMFEST in July! This years’ theme was “Come Together.” In order to synchronize with this theme and involve food, we worked with local artist, Isobel Davis, to help bring our vision to life! Her idea was to create a life-size edible labyrinth which participants could walk, contemplate, and harvest its small but fruitful bounty. We also chose to incorporate mandalas, using multicolored dried legumes and grains.

This summer we are excited to announce RVFB’s 4th annual Urban Ag Bike Tour in partnership with Bike Works. Participants have the opportunity to choose from THREE tour dates! That’s three routes and three opportunities for cyclists of all levels to learn about our  Southeast Seattle food system.

#25daysofgratitude post is dedicated to the restaurants that make our annual Chow Down fundraiser possible. Each summer restaurants and bars in Columbia City and Hillman City provide quick, tasty bites for food adoring participants. Folks are able to partake in this delicious culinary adventure by purchasing a passport that is stamped at each location in exchange for an iconic bite. These passport sales directly benefit Rainier Valley Food Bank and highlight the unique and vibrant culinary culture of South Seattle.