Dedicated Staff
Since its inception in the 1970s, the Vashon Community Food Bank has grown as the need on Vashon has expanded. Food insecurity has now become one of the most pressing social issues on Vashon, with at least one-in-seven households relying on our resources. Now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we have a complement of full and part-time staff, and are governed by a board of directors.
From managing volunteers and distribution to developing programs and services, the work we do would be impossible without our dedicated staff:
Emily Scott
Executive Director
director@vashonfoodbank.org
Duncan Goulding Operations Manager
delivery@vashonfoodbank.org
Michael Whitmore
Warehouse and Distributions Coordinator
michael@vashonfoodbank.org
Kirstin Eastman
Financial Operations Manager
kirstin@vashonfoodbank.org
Minta Crafts
Capital Campaign Manager
minta@vashonfoodbank.org
Andrue Slauenwhite (Andy)
Warehouse and Distributions Coordinator
andy@vashonfoodbank.org
Talia Lionetti
Volunteer Program Manager
volmanager@vashonfoodbank.org
Alison Bagby
Social Media & Communications Associate
alison@vashonfoodbank.org
Vacant (Seasonal)
2021 Picnics in the Park Coordinator
pitp@vashonfoodbank.org
COMMITTED
accountable, innovative, and driven.
GROWn & growing
In a world where 30-40% of food produced on an annual basis is wasted, there is no reason that any person should go hungry. I see the Vashon Food Bank as playing two important, and intrinsically connected, roles in our community: to aggregate food, much of which would otherwise be wasted, and to get that food to people who need food to thrive…which is everybody. Access to food is a basic human right and there is an abundance of food in this world we live in…let’s eat it!
— Emily R. Scott, MPA, Executive Director
DEDICATED BOARD
energy, ideas, and experience
CURRENT Board
Mason Gerety - President
Vicki Boyd - Vice President
Marcia Horswill - Treasurer
Judith Clegg - Secretary
Chip Wright - Director
Lennon Bronsema - Director
Charlotte Tiencken - Director
Barb Rhoads-Weaver - Director
Robin Pollard - Director
Emma Fuller - Director
Board of Directors
Board members of the Vashon Maury Food Bank are dedicated individuals that are volunteering their time and expertise to help keep our community fed and nourished.
Board members serve 3 year terms, with a maximum of two consecutive terms. This structure keeps our board fresh with incoming energy, ideas, experience and expertise.
As a non-profit Board, the Board serves to hire, evaluate and support the Executive Director. The Board works with the Executive Director to establish strategic direction and goals for the organization, provides important governance and oversight to the organization and its fiscal health, and serves as an important component of community relations and fundraising.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people use the Food Bank?
In 2019, over 1,600 different children, youth and adults in 827 households received free groceries from the Vashon Food Bank. This is one out of every 9 Vashon residents and one out of every 7 households. On an average week, 200-250 households get free groceries from the food bank.
In the summer of 2019, over 5,400 free lunches were prepared and served to over 550 children and youth during our 2019 summer lunch and activities program, Picnics in the Park.
How do you qualify for the Food bank?
Anyone in need of nutritious food for themselves or their family is welcome to use the Food Bank. We do not ask for any proof of need nor do we ask for ID of any kind.
What are the Food Bank’s services?
One day per week onsite grocery distribution and weekly home delivery
Emergency food bags available at several island locations
Picnics in the Park – free lunch and activities, over the summer, for children and youth
How is the Food Bank supported?
We are supported by the COMMUNITY. Approximately 80% of our monetary funding comes from on-island individuals, businesses and organizations. This money covers operational costs and purchase of needed foods and essential non-food items.
A large part of our food is picked up weekly from Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline in Seattle. We regularly receive food from on-island sources including Thriftway, IGA, Island Spring Tofu, East West Produce, the bakeries and coffee roasters. We are also fortunate to have island neighbors and farms that contribute to food drives or drop off donations at the Food Bank: fresh produce, non-perishable foods and personal hygiene supplies.
We buy products that round out our supplies and the nutritional value of what we distribute, and provide a few items that food stamps do not cover such as diapers, toilet paper and feminine hygiene products. In 2017, we started purchasing produce in the fall and winter to ensure that we offer fresh produce all year round.
We grow fresh organic produce in our on-site garden.
How else can we help?
Contribute money to help with ongoing operating costs (purchased food, staff, rent and utilities, gas and ferries)
Organize a food drive or a work party for the Food Bank Garden
Donate funds from a group you belong to or from a party or event
Spread the word that the Food Bank is here to serve the community.
Who comes to the Food Bank?
Your neighbors: People working at the banks, schools and grocery stores, musicians, artists and landscapers.... Anyone and everyone who is in need of nutritious food can come to the Food Bank. Children and Seniors make up half of our client base.
Why do people come to the Food Bank?
People lose their jobs, can’t find a job or don’t earn enough working to meet basic needs (even sometimes working 2-3 part time jobs)
Some live on a fixed income that doesn’t stretch (Social Security or SSI)
Often there has been a health crisis or an accident.
Those fleeing domestic violence.
People who have lost a spouse, or added a new member to the family.
Do you get government funding?
We are NOT a government agency. We are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We receive a very small amount of grant funding through government sources/programs.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers are our lifeblood. In 2018, volunteers provided more than 6,900 hours of service! Even now, with COVID-19 they volunteer while maintaining social distancing and practicing safe protocols. They…
Drive our trucks and pick-up food in Seattle, in Kent and on-island
Unload the trucks and repackage bulk supplies
Assist with distribution in the Food Bank
Pack bags and/or make weekly home deliveries
Participate in food drives
Handle our recycling
In summer, be part of teams who make and serve lunches daily for Picnics in the Park/Picnics To Go!
Offer safe and entertaining activities for Picnics in the Park/Picnics To Go!
Work in our Food Bank Garden
Participate in gleaning extra produce from gardens and orchards.
Assist with administrative/office work
Serve on the Board of Directors or a Board Committee
What do you need right now?
Protein items such as tuna, peanut butter, cheese, nuts (almonds, walnuts…)
Low sodium canned soups, chili and other ready-to-heat and-eat foods
Condiments and spices
Low sugar canned fruits and veggies
Personal hygiene supplies.
