Spring is the time to do something BIG – Why you should GiveBIG to the Rainier Valley Food Bank

“Every week, every year, RVFB provides healthy food when we say we will, keeping our promise to the community without fail.”

Everyone here at Rainier Valley Food Bank (RVFB) loves spring; but spring also brings a significant set of challenges to the food bank. After the fervor of the winter holidays and the end-of-year contributions, RVFB sees a sizable dip in donations. A few months into the New Year, the wonderful and generous store of resources begins a slow drop, a “spring slump” for which we must prepare every year.

Many non-profits share in this decline, as donors tend to focus on end-of-year holiday giving and tax deductions. That is a perfectly normal giving trend.

But while many non-profits time their programs to work with the trends of incoming donations, RVFB’s work – meeting hunger insecurity – is never done. RVFB meets the constant need to eat year-round, feeding families and neighbors over the holidays, through the spring slump, and during every other ordinary time of the year as well. Every week, every year, RVFB provides healthy food when we say we will, keeping our promise to the community without fail.

We can do this because we are responsible with your donations. RVFB creates budgets and spending plans that make arrangements for the spring slump. We run more food drives, reach out to schools and faith groups, and build innovative fundraisers. We cut spending costs and are currently analyzing ways to improve our already efficient system.

And that’s where GiveBIG comes in. GiveBIG is a great way to show your neighbors that you know that hunger is an ongoing battle. GiveBIG in partnership with the Seattle Foundation, stretches your dollars further. And when you donate to RVFB, your donation tells Seattle that RVFB is a good organization that is making a difference. A donation is a vote of confidence that not only replenishes our shelves, but sends a message to staff, volunteers and board – the work we do is important to the community, and important to YOU.

So if you can, do a little spring-cleaning. Turn over the couch cushions and find that spare change. Donate on GiveBIG day. See if you can pick up an extra can or two or a few bags of rice on your next trip to the supermarket and bring them into the food bank. Plant a garden and remember that we love fresh produce year-round. And accept our thanks for being a great supporter of an excellent year-round cause. Happy Spring!

To support RVFB, GiveBIG Wednesday, May 15: http://bit.ly/15aBemh. Every donation helps!