Tukwila Pantry

Mission

Tukwila Pantry is a non-profit food bank established to serve the residents of the cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, and Burien in a humane and dignified way with their food and other referral needs. The Tukwila Pantry is committed to provide food for those in need and educate the community on issues surrounding hunger.

Description

As rent increases, as inflation impacts gas and food prices, as other costs have risen and wages have stagnated, the household budgets of so many in our community have been squeezed to the breaking point.  Tukwila Pantry serves thousands in our South King County community and provides millions of pounds of food each year.

Tukwila Pantry has proudly served this community for over 20 years, adapting to each challenge and better providing for those families that have been overwhelmed by extremely difficult circumstances. We know just how big an impact every donation, whether time or money in any amount, helps the people we serve. 

Before the pandemic, we served about 300 families a week. In 2017 we distributed one million pounds of food to serve more than 30,000 individuals and 10,000 families from the communities of Tukwila, SeaTac, and Burien. With rent, healthcare, and cost of living outpacing household budgets, the ability to provide has continued to be a challenge. The Tukwila Pantry has since taken this challenge head on and adapted our methods and infrastructure to meet the need for food security in our communities, serving more than 500 families each day. 

Tukwila Pantry ardently fights food insecurity in one of the most diverse and underserved communities in King County. The combined poverty rate in Tukwila and SeaTac is 15%, nearly double King County's overall rate of 7.7%. Tukwila and SeaTac also rank second in King County in households with income less than 200% below the Federal poverty level, with 35% of residents living in such households.

Tukwila Pantry serves as a last resort for many of these low-income families in Tukwila, SeaTac, and Burien. Hunger does not discriminate, and the problems it causes afflict every demographic. For example, 14% of those we serve are homeless, at least 20% have limited English proficiency, and 84% are considered very low income. The food they receive from the Pantry is vital for their families, as federal and state food assistance benefits are often not sufficient enough to provide for an entire month, even when children are enrolled in school meal programs.

Combatting food insecurity is the most direct, effective, and rewarding investment we can make in our community.  Tukwila Pantry is dedicated to helping families living in South King County to not just survive, but thrive. Each person who gives their time and effort to this cause takes pride in serving and enriching their community and its citizens.

Recognition

We are happy to acknowledge support of the Tukwila Pantry on our website and Facebook page.