Quarterly Newsletter | Fall 2022 |
|
FAST FACT!
Our food donations have decreased 45% since pre-pandemic, while the number of people accessing our resources has increased by 50%.
|
|
|
From the Director
By Laura Skelton, Interim Executive Director
|
|
The theme of this year’s Recipe for Hope event was resilience. Every day at the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank, we see first-hand just how resilient people can be in the face of obstacles both small and large, and we know that our support and services are important tools to help build that resilience.
Just in the last month, we have seen many new faces at the food bank. I met a woman who ... READ MORE
|
|
Client Story:
"The Rocky Road to Resilience"
|
After years of hardship and trauma, we've been privileged to help this young woman and her family gain resilience through the services and resources you are making possible at the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. Hear her story in her own words in this powerful video. Content warning: This video describes sensitive topics, including sexual abuse and suicide... WATCH THE VIDEO
|
|
|
Thank You!
You, our donors, volunteers, and partners are such an integral part of the resilience that people are able to gain through our resources. Thank you for your generosity and for helping us raise nearly all of our $250,000 fundraising goal through our Recipe for Hope fundraising event in late September! These funds are crucial in this time of increased need, combined with reduced food donations and increased costs.
We'd also like to thank our Premier event sponsors for making it possible for every dollar raised at the event to go straight toward our mission.
|
|
Make the Holidays Brighter for Local Families! |
Holidays can be stressful when a family has to choose between celebrating and basic necessities. You can help ensure that every child receives at least one special gift this holiday season!
We expect at least 1,300 children for our Holiday Gift Barn this year, but we only have enough for about 290 kids right now!
We need your donations of $25 gift cards to serve all 1,300 children and to give local parents the dignity of self-selecting the exact items that will be most meaningful to their children. Learn how you can help!
|
|
The Big Event is Back!
Not registered yet? Don't miss out on the event of the year! For the first time since 2019, the Issaquah Turkey Trot will take over the streets of downtown Issaquah Thanksgiving morning!
This fun & casual 5K brings the community together during the holiday, with all profits benefitting the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
We hope to see you there!
|
|
All ages are welcome! Costumes & accessories are encouraged!
|
|
Champion Spotlight:
Susan Albertson
You know that friend who is always there for you; always willing to do whatever is needed to help? That’s the kind of friend that Susan Albertson is to the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. She’s a committed, hard-working, and passionate member of our volunteer team and a faithful donor. We asked Susan a few questions so that you can enjoy getting to know her too! READ MORE.
|
|
Thank You for Your Heart for Our Youth! |
|
With your help, we were able to provide healthy, kid-friendly foods like fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, milk, lunchmeat, and easy-to-fix breakfast and lunch items through our Summer Lunch program this summer, ensuring that children had access to nutritious foods while school was closed. We served more than 420 children each month, and families were able to shop in our market, selecting the foods they knew their children needed and would most enjoy.
|
|
Over 850 children were able to start school fully equipped for learning with a new backpack and school supplies, thanks to your support and our partnership with the Issaquah Schools Foundation. Participants were split pretty evenly been elementary and middle/high school, and a new feature this year was the convenience of families being able to pick up at their local schools over a longer window of time.
|
|
School breaks create stress on already tight family food budgets and can leave children with insufficient nutrition when free and reduced-price school lunches aren't available. Our next Lunch for the Break program is coming up in mid-December, providing families an opportunity to select healthy, kid-friendly foods to ensure that breakfast, lunches, and even snacks are covered while their children are out of school for the holidays. Learn more or donate today.
|
|
Power Packs provide kids at every participating school within the Issaquah School District with healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack foods for the weekend.
The need for Power Packs continues to rise, with the program serving about 20% more children this school year.
Thank you for helping to ensure that children have access to nutritious foods at all times.
|
|
Over 30% of those we serve are 18 or younger. Thank you for helping to reduce childhood food insecurity through your support of these programs!
|
|
Come aboard! We're looking for new team members to join in the amazing work being done for and by our community.
Check our available openings and help us build our team with more dynamic people who are passionate about our mission!
|
|
We Need Your Food Donations!
Thank you for your generous in-kind donations to the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank! Our needs and costs are growing beyond our current level of food donations. Please help us re-stock by bringing our most needed items to an upcoming food donation drop-off:
Saturday, November 19, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Saturday, December 10, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Thank you so much for supporting your neighbors with the items they need most! Learn more here.
|
|
 |
Support the Food Bank using Amazon Smile!
Do you shop on Amazon?
You can support us using Amazon Smile! Select the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank as your non-profit of choice, and a portion of all of your purchases will automatically be donated on behalf of the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Issaquah Sammamish Food Project
Are you looking for an easy way to donate food items or get more involved?
Join dozens of Eastside neighbors in their efforts to collect and donate food through the Issaquah Sammamish Food Project! Visit their website to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
