Quarterly Newsletter | Summer 2020
FAST FACT!

1,765 children in the Issaquah School District were receiving free or reduced-price school lunches prior to school closures in March.
Director's Note:
What the Future Holds
By Cori Walters, Executive Director

Along with everyone else, the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank (IFCB) has been flipped upside down, spun around, and shook up by the COVID-19 pandemic! With the amazing support of all our donors, clients, volunteers, and community partners, we’ve landed on our feet and are doing the best that we can at getting food to all the households that need it ... READ MORE
A Letter from Maria
"Things have not been going well since this pandemic started. My husband lost his job and from there it was difficult for him to find work and pay the rent. I got very sick with the flu in March and we got scared since I can't go to the emergency because I don't have health insurance right now. My children do, fortunately ... READ MORE
In Loving Memory of our Founder
Please join us as we honor an amazing man who did so much for our community!

Bob Gray was born on March 17, 1936 in Edwardsville, Illinois. Despite having lived in different states and regions throughout his youth and college years, he found his way to Eastside King County and in 1966, made Issaquah his home. More than just making it his home, he played a significant role in evolving Issaquah into the amazing, community-focused city that ... READ MORE
Champion Spotlight - Lissette Marrin
By Bonnie DeCaro-Monahan
Have you ever met a person who immediately put you at ease and made you feel welcome and valued? That’s just one of the unique gifts that Lissette has and we’ve been so fortunate to have her as a volunteer ... READ MORE
Black Lives Matter
By the entire IFCB team

The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank believes that food is a right and not a privilege. This right is not dependent on the color of one's skin, where they're from, their socioeconomic status, or any other factor.

Today, more than ever, we need to come together as a united strong voice and a participant to influence changes within societal systems that continue to foster poverty and racism. The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank (IFCB) stands with our Black community and we whole-heartedly believe and embrace that Black Lives Matter. We are inspired by the hundreds of thousands of people across our nation who are peacefully protesting and demanding an end to anti-Black racism, police violence, and oppressive systems built on allowing the ‘status quo’ of racism to continue ... READ MORE
We LOVE our Volunteers!
It's been very difficult for so many of our faithful, long-time volunteers who love the IFCB to have to take a break from volunteering during COVID-19, but we want to assure all of them that our community is stepping in to help fill their big shoes. Since March, we've seen 235 new volunteers come to help sort food, pack and move boxes, deliver food, greet/assist clients, and help with traffic control during distribution.

A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who is able to volunteer with us during this health crisis.
Please watch our volunteer needs on our website to see where you can help if you are able to. Stay in touch!
Lake Sammamish Fireworks Show
We have thoroughly enjoyed our annual Lake Sammamish Fireworks Show to raise funds for children facing food insecurity in our community. Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold our 2020 fireworks display due to safety restrictions. We hope that all those who typically enjoy this show will find alternate ways to make your 4th of July celebration special this year and that you'll all plan to join us for a huge celebration in July of 2021!

Since starting the Lake Sammamish Fireworks Show fundraiser in 2015, our amazing event hosts Kritsonis & Lindor of Windermere Real Estate have raised a total of $127,053 to benefit the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank and our Summer Lunch program .

Please join Kritsonis & Lindor and the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank to continue fundraising efforts for the Summer Lunch program despite the inability to hold the fireworks show this year. A $100 gift can provide a child with breakfast, lunch, and snack foods for an entire month this summer!

This year, Kritsonis & Lindor has committed to match all donations of $100 or greater up to $20,000! Double your impact today!
Summer Lunch
By Bonnie DeCaro-Monahan
Friday, June 26th will be the first of 5 special distributions for Summer Lunch this year. With a record 845 children registered (62% more than 2019) , we're gearing up to provide the best experience and selection of healthy, child-friendly food as we possibly can. With the main focus being on the health and safety of everyone involved, we're moving to a no-contact drive-through distribution, offering a larger quantity of food at each pick-up so that families have less exposure.

Want to help? Give today !

Need food for your children? Visit our website for more details and to register.
Join us for some fun in July!

As a way to celebrate YOU, our volunteers, donors, and community partners, we are replacing our annual in-person picnic with a family and small group friendly SCAVENGER HUNT!

You won't want to miss it!
Prizes for
Best Theme
Most Creative
All Clues Found

Participate with whomever you choose
at any time between
July 11th and 19th

It's easy! Photo submissions count as entries.

Clues and full instructions will be available on our website
starting July 11th at 8:00 a.m..

Join us for a Zoom AWARDS CEREMONY on Wednesday July22nd
(link to be sent to all entrants) and watch for
prize deliveries on your doorstep!

Questions? Contact Bonnie .


Tools 4 School is Coming Up Soon!
Whether school starts in the building or online in September, children need to be equipped for learning! Please help us provide new backpacks and school supplies for over 1,000 children by purchasing items online for our special no-contact drive-through event coming up on August 18th between 1:00-7:00 p.m.. All donations are needed by August 11th in order to be available for the August 18th event. Thank you!

Get more details or register to receive supplies on our website.
Lunch for the Break...and Beyond!
By Bonnie DeCaro-Monahan
We wrapped up the 2019-2020 school year with some record Lunch for the Break participation numbers. Our last, typical, Lunch for the Break in February served 395 children which was a lower number than usual due to the local flooding at that time. In the Spring, we transitioned to a no-contact drive-up pick-up to help make distribution safe for everyone involved. That distribution number grew by 48% once COVID-19 hit and children were out of school during our Spring Lunch for the Break in April. With the help of the Issaquah Schools Foundation, who provided $25 grocery store gifts cards for every child as well as volunteer support, we were able to add a special Lunch for the Break in May, serving a record 630 children !

Thank you to all of our Lunch for the Break supporters who help make this vital program possible. Ensuring proper nutrition for our youth is a key ingredient to their ability to learn, stay healthy, and thrive.

Recipe for Hope 2020 - COMPASSION IN ACTION

We have some great ideas for making this year's virtual breakfast and lunch events just as interactive and worthwhile as our annual live events have been.

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, September 29th
and let us know if you'd like to be a virtual table captain
for the breakfast, lunch, or both!

Event sponsorship also available. Contact Bonnie for more details.
How to Give In-Kind Gifts During COVID-19
We need your help resourcing the food and basic needs items for our every other week emergency distribution model.

Here are two ways to help:

  1. Order items off our Emergency Needs List to be shipped directly to our building. This is a HUGE help and we thank everyone who has already been doing this!
  2. Connect with the Issaquah Sammamish Food Project to learn how and when to coordinate a one-time drop off donation or join multiple neighborhoods for a regularly occurring event. Click here to learn more.

Please note that we can only accept items off our Emergency Needs List through these methods (no drop-off at our building). Our clothing bank will remain closed at this time.
Fun(d) for Food
Kiwanis Fundraiser

Thursday, July 9th
7:00-8:30 p.m.

Guest host: Dennis Bounds, retired King5 anchor

Join the Issaquah Kiwanis for online Bingo and help raise funds for the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.

Reserve your spot at this family-friendly event by July 7th!
AmazonSmile

With all the online ordering that everyone is doing, NOW'S THE TIME to make those dollars count for good!

Designate the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank as your Amazon Smile organization and we will receive a percentage of every purchase you make through Amazon Smile. It's that easy!