Nourishing Our Community
Nourishing Our Community
our mission
To work in partnership with our community to increase our island's food security and connect people to the supporting resources they need to thrive.
The Vashon Food Bank supports racial, social and economic justice and strives for equity through access to nutritious food.
food donations
To supplement the food we receive from Food Lifeline and other food donation programs we are currently looking to source:
Peanut Butter
Spaghetti Noodles
Chicken or Vegetable Broth
Canned Tuna
Non-perishable, unexpired food can be dropped off any day of the week in our blue donation shed on-site at our Distribution Center at Sunrise Ridge.
Perishable foods can be donated directly to staff. Please do not leave perishable foods in the shed or left outside.
If you are a farm or gardener with an overflow of produce to donate, contact harvest@vashonfoodbank.org to coordinate.
We envision a vibrant, economically and culturally diverse island community that is free from hunger. Community supported, we are a vital resource for those who live or work on Vashon Island.
BY THE NUMBERS
In 2023, the Vashon Food Bank provided grocery services to 1707 individuals
190+
volunteers
In 2023, over 190 volunteers donated over 8,139 hours to help the Food Bank - from food distribution to special programs like Picnics to Go - we can’t do this without you.
40+
Years Serving VASHON
Vashon’s Food Bank was started in the basement of the Presbyterian Church in the late 1970s and was incorporated as a non-profit organization in December 1991. We have been offering free groceries to Vashon residents ever since, through direct grocery distribution and innovative programming.
1:7
HOUSEHOLDS
The changing economy has brought about a major shift in how we view food insecurity and hunger; they are part of our everyday language. At least one-in-seven households on Vashon rely on Food Bank resources.
OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES
The Food Bank’s services have evolved along with the changing needs of our community. We offer multiple services, including a program of once a week in-person shopping and grocery pick up, as well as a hugely expanded home delivery program. Additional programs like Picnics in the Parks, Harvest for Vashon, and the Food Bank Garden add to the diverse ways the Vashon Food Bank meets the island’s needs.
Grocery shopping
Customers have the option of shopping in-person or choosing to do grocery pickup, where customers submit an order, come to our site, and wait outside while volunteers pack their groceries. Both of these services are offered two times on Wednesdays, 10am - 2pm and 4pm - 7pm.
HOME delivery
For some, getting to the Food Bank is a challenge, so each Thursday and Friday are our Home Delivery Days. Teams of volunteers - packers and drivers - pack nutritious groceries and deliver to all parts of Vashon Island.
PICNICS in the parks
Picnics in the Parks was created to ensure that children on free/reduced lunches from the School District continue to have access to healthy food over the summer.
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FALL 2020
“Growing up my mother used to feed me and my siblings by going to the food bank. She didn’t talk about it much and I was too young to think much about it. As an adult I did not use the gift of the food bank much but when COVID happened I lost my job and did not receive unemployment for over 4 months. The food bank literally saved my life. It feels like Christmas every week. Thank you.”
Vashon Food Bank Customer
WE NEED YOU!
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