Quarterly Newsletter | Fall 2023 |
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Fast Fact!
From January 1 through September 30, we saw a 35% increase in market visits and emergency shopping services over the same time in 2022!
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From the Director
On September 26, we celebrated with many of you at our annual Recipe for Hope event. Our theme this year was Insight = Action, and it was incredible to see so many members of our extended community coming together to learn and gain insight about our community's needs and our organization’s work... READ MORE
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You Did It!
You helped us exceed our Recipe for Hope fundraising goal! Over 400 have generously given to help us raise over $313,000 for our largest fundraiser of the year, Recipe for Hope!
On September 26, 370 compassionate community members participated in our breakfast and lunch events at our new venue, The Golf Club at Newcastle, to hear from our keynote speaker, Clancy Harrison. Through Clancy, our other presenters, and our videos, guests gained valuable insight into the lives of those who have limited financial resources and how the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank is uniting the community to address these vital needs.
This year, we had a group of 24 Matching Pool Heroes who gave generously to provide a $70,750 matching pool to help double the impact of your efforts! Thank you to all our donors, Matching Pool Heroes, Table Hosts, volunteers, our event planning team, speakers, and program participants who helped to make this possible!
Please join us in acknowledging our amazing event sponsors who covered the costs for this event, allowing donations to be stewarded efficiently to directly improve the lives of the 6,000 people we serve!
Thank you to our Premier Sponsors!
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Client Story: From Being Unhoused to Somewhere Closer to Stability
Michelle is a single parent of two daughters. She advocates for special education, is a community volunteer and organizer, and has worked at various local businesses. This is her story, in her own words:
You just cannot fathom the number of people who need the safety net of the food bank — the food, hygiene products, diapers, formula, KidVantage clothing and toy assistance, school supplies, Lunch for the Break, holiday gift cards, all of it. There’s an enormous number of obstacles and barriers we low-income parents and families have to overcome... READ MORE
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In 2023, you helped us serve more than 700 children through Summer Lunch — a 14% increase over 2022. This vital program for families ensures children have access to healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, milk, and easy-to-fix breakfast and lunch items while school is closed. Thank you for making this possible! |
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Volunteers and shoppers collected 5,870 pounds of food and other much-needed items at this year's Mayor's Day of Concern on October 21. Our thanks to Issaquah Mayor Mary Lou Pauly, all the volunteers and shoppers who contributed, and the stores that welcomed us: Safeway on Gilman, PCC Community Markets, Fred Meyer, and QFC Pine Lake and Klahanie. |
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A Deep Dive into a Disappearing Safety Net
By Erin Longchari, Operations & Programs Director
At the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank, we occasionally hear feedback from community members like, “COVID’s over now. When are you going to get back to the way things used to be?” For many in our community, there has been no return to life before the pandemic. The overall need for a supportive safety net has grown since the start, and “end,” of the pandemic. Rising food insecurity, increased poverty, and the end of pandemic assistance combine with newly troubling signs that instability and economic insecurity are on the rise... READ MORE
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More FUN Ways to Get Engaged!
It's a busy time of year, with lots of events! Volunteer, donate, attend, or do all three! For more information on any of these, just reach out to steve@issaquahfoodbank.org.
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EF&R Fill the Truck – Sat. & Sun., Nov. 18 &19
Our faithful partners at Eastside Fire & Rescue will be in the Issaquah Fred Meyer parking lot, collecting our most needed items from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please help spread the word!
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It's time to register for this beloved local tradition that brings the community together during the holiday to help provide free food and basic necessities for those in need. Trotters have donated $655,000 in the past 13 years! Hope to see you on the course!
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There are so many ways to get involved, l ight up a child’s holiday, and help give parents the choice of shopping for their children. Donations for gift cards are needed now. Get more info!
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Thank You for Your Food Donations!
Winter is coming and is the most demanding time of year for many in our community. Please help us re-stock by bringing unopened, unexpired donations from our Priority Needs List to our warehouse on an upcoming food donation drop-off day!
When
- Thurs., Nov. 9, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
- Sat., Nov. 18, 12 – 3 p.m.
- Mon., Nov. 27, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
- Sat., Dec. 9, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Thurs., Dec. 14, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
- Thurs., Dec. 21, 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Where
Thank you for supporting your neighbors with the items they need most! LEARN MORE
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Team Needs are Being Filled!
We're delighted to announce that we're fully staffed at last, including a new much-needed Client Services Program Manager! We've built a strong, caring team to work with our dedicated volunteers and donors and to help serve the community.
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Issaquah Sammamish
Food Project
This vital project contributed 39,800 pounds of food in 2022! Join hundreds of Eastside neighbors in their efforts to collect and donate food through the Issaquah Sammamish Food Project!
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Help Wishes Come True!
Our Amazon Wish List makes it easy to donate some of our most needed items and have them delivered directly to the food bank with just a click:
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