It’s that time of year again, when the people of King County have an opportunity to join together and make a hugely positive impact. It’s easy to wonder “How can I as one person make any change?” When you give, your dollar will be combined with thousands of others to build healthier communities in our region. Together we can make an impact.

Hao first came to RVFB when his grandmother, Chi Lai, told his mother that he should volunteer to practice his English. Chi Lai and her husband came to the US as refugees when the South Vietnam Government collapsed. In 2014, Hao, Vy and their mother emigrated from Vietnam to join their father and grandparents in Seattle.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, are a critical resource for 46.5 million Americans across the US. They provide a reliable source of money that can be spent at grocery stores and farmers markets to buy fresh, healthy groceries. Not only do they alleviate financial pressures faced by low-income households, they also increase food security for recipients.

A good meal shared with good company brings happiness to the heart. It’s as universal and human as a smile. A thriving community can be gauged by its access to healthy food and the absence of hunger. Hunger is not an issue of charity, it’s an issue of justice. It’s with this shared vision that True Blue Aquaponics and RVFB have joined forces to begin growing healthy, fresh food right onsite at the food bank.

Even if you are not the world’s biggest sports fan you have surly heard of March Madness, the catchy name used for college basketball’s playoff tournament. Some of us are decked out in our college apparel right down to our underwear, while others can’t even name more than two Washington schools (University of Washington and what’s that other one called?) No matter what kind of fan you are there is no denying how fun it can be to get a burger, some beer and yell silly things at the TV for an hour or so.

That’s why The Rainier Valley Food Bank is once again partnering with Rookies Sports Bar and Grill to bring you #MunchMadness!!!

Last month, Rainier Valley Food Bank volunteers congregated with 100 other hunger activists at our State Capitol in Olympia for Hunger Action Day.

Planning a special dinner for Valentine’s dinner tomorrow? Whether it be with a romantic partner, close friend, dear family member, or awkward new roommate, share some love this Valentine’s Day with a warm bowl of Borscht! Red beets are the MVP in this Ukrainian soup, turning a medley of vegetables into a dreamy fuchsia fantasy.

We are improving the way To-Go Bags are produced, with the help of volunteers. As the homeless population in Seattle increases, the demand on organizations that support them will increase in tandem. We are working to formalize our To-Go Bag production, for top quality and efficiency.

Sam’s Lobster & Prawn Mac-n-Cheese Uhhhhh, yum! Doesn’t this look ahhhhhhmazing! This is Sam Osborne, RVFB Executive Director’s take on an ‘ol classic. From our food-lovin’-oven to your yours … ENJOY!

Shelly started volunteering at the food bank in early 2015. She came in once a week to help out with data entry, and always had a friendly story to tell. Shelly is new to running but she decided this year to run the Seattle Half Marathon and raise money for the Rainier Valley Food Bank. Running this distance and fundraising are two things she has never done before. By her own admission, it makes her nervous but she is determined to succeed!

Sally Teodoro, originally from Manila, Philippines, volunteers weekly as a line host, coordinating our waiting process and greeting folks as they enter to receive food. She knows just how to keep our waiting area organized and in order with kindness and humor!

To be alive and present to the needs of those around us—especially those we serve—is to continuously be aware of the filters through which we view the world. These filters are formed by some things that are learned, like our belief systems or our political views. Some filters are formed by things we have no choice in, like our race, our gender, and an enormous array of other factors that contribute to how we see ourselves, the world, and those around us. The more transparent our filters become, the better we are able to serve with true humility and compassion—two cornerstones of real justice. The more transparent our filters become, the more we are able to approach a deeper understanding of our fellow beings, and thus contribute to a more just society.

Racial inequality has been at the forefront of our news and conversations, and at RVFB we see that food access is innately linked with social justice. We asked community leader Kenya Fredie to share her thoughts on how growing food impacts social justice. Kenya wears multiple hats as Dept. Neighborhoods P-Patch Community Garden Coordinator, “Growing for Giving” Volunteer at Judkins P-Patch, and dedicated steward to her daughter, her earth, and her community.

This month we would like to highlight one of our interns from Seattle Central College: Jesse Rowher! Jesse has been interning at Rainier Valley Food Bank for the last 9 months, and has made a tremendous impact in improving our training methods for new volunteers, solidifying roles on distribution days, creating an express bag system, and integrating Kaizen into our distribution day operations to improve our efficiency. Moreover, he has seamlessly integrated himself into our community, and is a joy to watch interact with our food guests. Thank you, Jesse, for being awesome.

At RVFB, we love summer because it is the time of year when local gardens and farms donate crates upon crates of beautiful organic vegetables for us to distribute to our hungry neighbors. People always ask us where our food comes from, and this summer we have two dates dedicated to showing a couple of those sources!

This month we would like to highlight Willieetta Smith! Willie first came to RVFB 11 months ago and has been gracing us with her presence ever since. The kindness and patience that she brings on distribution days truly help create a hospitable environment for every guest that she greets. We appreciate how Willie is always optimistic, and always willing to help where needed. Thanks Willie, for sharing your beautiful smile with all of us!

Whether it be dedicating a portion of produce from your home garden to our food bank or dropping in on a garden work party, your work to bring in more healthy food for our food guests will be met with a tremendous amount of appreciation!

Meet Lou! Lou has been volunteering at RVFB for 2 years. His humble and positive nature embodies the environment we are trying to create at the food bank. And for the last few weeks he has been transforming the back wall of our distribution room into an artistic masterpiece! With some chalk and a black wall, he has inserted a vibrant country landscape into our food bank.

Even if you are not the world’s biggest sports fan you have surly heard of March Madness, the catchy name used for college basketball’s playoff tournament. Some of us are decked out in our college apparel right down to our underwear while others can’t even name more than two Washington schools. (University of Washington and what’s that other one called?) No matter what kind of fan you are there is no denying how fun it can be to get a burger, some beer and yell silly things at the TV for an hour or so.

While many in our region now enjoy the fruits of economic recovery, there remain many thousands for whom things have only changed for the worse. In fact, area food banks are serving more people now than they did at the peak of the recession. Rainier Valley Food Bank (RVFB) now serves more than twice the number of families they fed in 2009, and saw a staggering 32% increase in demand in 2014 alone.