Quarterly Newsletter | Spring 2022 |
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FAST FACT!
Food insecurity is defined as a lack of access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life. This can be temporary or long-term. According to Feeding America zip code-specific data, there are approximately 9,000 people in our 110 square mile service area experiencing food insecurity. |
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From the Director
By Laura Skelton, Interim Executive Director
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Spring is a time of renewal, and we are so glad to see sunnier days. While the COVID pandemic isn’t over (and we continue to grieve for those we’ve lost during this time), I’m certainly seeing more people out and about. For many of us, there is a feeling that life is returning to normal.
Unfortunately, food prices have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. If you feel like trips to the grocery store have gotten more expensive, you’re not imagining things! The USDA Consumer Price Index for food indicates...READ MORE
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Client Story - "Help That Heals"
By Bonnie DeCaro-Monahan and Brooke Wiles
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When we’re young, most of us feel invincible, and Penny McPhee used this energy to enjoy a successful career in the construction industry for years. Unfortunately, the work took its toll, resulting in chronic back issues. Now suffering from bone degeneration and some neck paralysis, Penny has undergone multiple back surgeries and finds it challenging to get around without pain. For nine years, Penny suffered in this condition while living in a tent. Since 2016, she’s been grateful to be housed, but her Social Security (SSI) benefits are her only source of income...READ MORE
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A Record-Breaking Gift!
We are excited to share AMAZING news! Our community has been blessed with an incredible gift from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. After 35+ years of partnering with the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank and many other organizations in our area, the church has sold its property and is closing its doors. To continue their legacy, they have gifted $500,000 from the sale of their property to the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. This is the largest single gift in our 50-year history! We are allocating this gift toward our future facility expansion so that thousands of people will be blessed by it for many years to come.
We encourage you to join us in expressing your appreciation for this gift to our community! Please e-mail Bonnie with your message to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church members, and she'll make sure they receive your message.
Thank you Shepherd of the Hills! Your legacy will live on!
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We are so grateful to everyone who is giving during GiveBIG 2022! So far, you've help us raise $14,900 to fund the purchase of high nutrient items like produce, cheese, milk, yogurt, eggs, and meat. These are important staple items that many families cannot afford, especially with rising costs! If you'd like to participate, GiveBIG remains open through May 6th. Thank you!
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Spread the word! We're looking for new team members to be part of the amazing work being done by our community.
Check out our available openings and help us build our team with more dynamic people who are passionate about our mission!
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Spring Lunch for the Break |
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Thanks for your understanding of what it takes to combat childhood food insecurity and for being a part of the solution through your volunteer time and financial support! Our spring break Lunch for the Break program provided supplemental food for almost 400 children in April. Families received healthy fruits, veggies, cheese, eggs, bacon, cereal, and other kid-friendly foods to ensure they had the nutrition needed without putting undue stress on already stretched family budgets.
Our next opportunity to fill potential gaps in childhood nutrition is coming up with our Summer Lunch program - ensuring that families have what they need for the 10-11 weeks that kids are eating all their meals at home. Learn more about our Summer Lunch program! |
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Champion Spotlight - Christi Schumann
By Bonnie DeCaro-Monahan Development Director
When Christi first contacted the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank in 2015, it was out of concern for children who needed help accessing healthy food during the summer months when school lunches were not readily available. Rather than learning that our Summer Lunch program covered that need and checking that box, Christi jumped in with both feet to be part of the solution. Her desire to help went far beyond her role with the PTA for her children’s school; it was her heart for those...READ MORE.
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Food Donations Needed
Thank you for supporting the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank with your in-kind giving! We are down to a limited supply of certain high need items and appreciate your help getting us re-stocked! Please bring specific items only to one of our upcoming food donation drop-off dates:
- Tuesday, May 17th - 1:00 to 3:00 pm
- Saturday, June 11th - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
We are extremely limited on space and storage, so please only bring items we are accepting at the time. Just refer to our Needs List for our most up-to-date list - just scroll down to "WAREHOUSE DONATION DROP OFF". As of this writing the current needs list for May is:
- Hearty Soup (i.e. Progresso, Campbell's Chunky, etc.)
- White Rice (2 lb bags only please)
- Hamburger Helper/Pasta Roni/Rice a Roni
- Chili
- Canned Chicken
- Canned Salmon
- Pancake Mix (regular and gluten free)
- Mac n Cheese
- Protein Bars
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Jelly or Jam (regular not large sizes please)
- Baby Wipes
- Diapers -- Pull-ups are most needed, then sizes 1,2,3
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste
- Body Wash and Bar Soap
All donations must be brought to our warehouse:
AtWork
Thank you so much for supporting our shoppers by providing items according to what is needed in our community! Learn more here.
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Save the Date!
The annual LAKE SAMMAMISH FIREWORKS SHOW is being held on a SATURDAY this year! That's right! You don't need to worry about getting up early Tuesday morning after late night fireworks; you can enjoy the display over south Lake Sammamish on:
Saturday, July 2nd at 10:15 p.m.
This event is compliments of our partners at Kritsonis & Lindor of Windermere Real Estate as a fundraiser to support all of our amazing youth programs. You can participate anytime by giving, then joining us from your favorite vantage point to celebrate with an amazing fireworks display on Saturday, July 2nd. Have questions? See full details on our website. |
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Support the Food Bank using Amazon Smile!
Do you shop on Amazon?
You can support the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank 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!
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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.
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