We have several new faces at the Ballard Food Bank, and one of our goals has been to hire people who are fluent in some of the major languages of our community. In recent months, we have brought in several Spanish-speaking employees, including Hannah Reilly.
Read MoreLast year, Lena Hart-Bundy shared the many ways Ballard Food Bank works to be a good steward of the land and improve sustainability in this post.
Since that time, we’ve made several updates that help us prevent even more food waste and increase sustainability both for the earth and our budget.
Read MoreIf you've spent time in our café grabbing a bite in the past eight months, you've probably experienced the warmth of Lucille Sheppard. Clients, staff, and volunteers have come to learn that with Lucille, you're bound to get a smile and an endearing greeting along with your coffee. Lucille joined the cafe team in September 2023 as part of the AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program. We have enjoyed getting to know her generosity, kindness, and charm. Her program recently ended and her last day with the Kindness Café was April 11th.
Read MoreRecently, I attended a talk with Matthew Desmond, hosted by Seattle Arts & Lectures. The nearly sold-out crowd included about 20 members of Ballard Food Bank’s community: staff, volunteers, and supporters. We came together in Town Hall Seattle’s Great Hall to hear the author and sociologist speak about his book Poverty, By America and challenge us all to become poverty abolitionists. Most of our staff members have been reading Desmond’s book, which we’ve invited our community to read with us!
Read MoreBallard Food Bank believes in connection. We pride ourselves in the connection to resources and the connection through food that happens every single day in our community hub. Recently, our innovative and talented Kindness Café staff launched our first ever Cooking Class. With self-sufficiency and community at the heart of this event, the piloted class brought together 5 community members on March 8th to prepare and enjoy a dish side by side.
Read MoreOne of the joys of being involved with Ballard Food Bank is to witness the many ways people in our community infuse meaning into their events by creating a way to give back. Experiences like these create a connection to the community and leave those involved informed and buoyed.
Read MoreOn any given Wednesday, the warehouse is bustling with energy in the back corner near a large open door. Collegial volunteers gather around multiple tables piled with crates of produce, canned dry goods, and various nutritious snacks. The volunteers flank the warehouse tables and skillfully walk toward one end, filling white plastic bags with fruits, snacks, and easy-to-prepare meals as they go. Leading the effort is Lily Cowen, our wonderful Food Access Coordinator here at Ballard Food Bank. Lily has been with Ballard Food Bank since March of 2023.
Read MoreThe 2024 Washington State Legislative Session began on January 8. During this short 60-day session, legislators are working on the state budget and voting on several bills related to hunger and poverty.
Hunger is growing in Washington, and we need both policy changes and more funding for services that support families and feed kids and seniors.
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