Anne Anderson, Executive Director of the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank accompanied by Doug Warren, President of the Food Bank Board; Scott Smith and Pat McCourt spoke to our Club last Friday about the current activities going on at the Food Bank. Nourishing the Lake Stevens community through collaboration with the community, serving ample nutritious food to the residents. One in five children in Washington State live in a home that cannot consistently put food on the table. The high cost of living in our area creates a large gap between those who are eligible for assistance elsewhere and those who are financially stable. The Food Bank aims to fill that gap. The Food Bank distributes 1.5 million lbs of food to families annually.

 

It only cost the food bank $20 a month to provide food for a family of four. When people have access to food they're able to stimulate the local economy by spending elsewhere in the community. Anne showed examples of community members who were served by the food bank. The Programs that Nourish the community are:  Weekly on-site distribution: $120,000. Provides food to allow families and individuals to prepare all meals they require in a month. Those clients leave with a full cart of groceries (approximately 200 lbs) as well as the resources to guide them toward self-sufficiency. Satellite Distribution: $20,000. Takes the food bank on the road to provide food access to those who cannot get to the distribution facility during regular hours. School Grocery Program: $20,000. Allows any student to anonymously grab a bag of healthy, easy to cook groceries from their school nurse's office. Cooking Instruction Program: $15,000. Teaches healthy habits and cooking skills to all clients and provides them with ingredients to re-create new, nutritious meals at home. Current impact approximately 1,500 people per month. Holiday Meal Program: $25,000. Provides everything needed for 500 festive meals for families.

 

These programs that are provided by the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank help so many people in our community and is a needed asset for all Lake Stevens residents. Now, I bet you that you thought we might have an update to the Lake Stevens Community Food Bank's new building. The original proposed site is not viable and the Food Bank has had to look elsewhere for property. They are working with the owner of a viable location. Unfortunately, they were unable to divulge the prospective property. But, they are within days of making that announcement. Stay tuned to an announcement anytime soon on the new site. State funding has been a huge boost and help courtesy of of own Club member, State Senator Steve Hobbs.