Rainier Valley Food Bank

Poverty Thrives in Isolation: Community Care is the Antidote

Food banks are often known as places to access free groceries when budgets are tight — something all too familiar for many. In Washington, 1 in 10 people are food insecure, but in Southeast King County, 1 in 4 people are food insecure. 

While food is the undercurrent of our work, it is also the catalyst for connection that thrives in our organization. Because food banks are, and always have been, about much more than just food. They're about building community and fostering connections. A place where neighbors choose to come because they know they can rely on one another, spend time chatting with their friends, and get their needs met. They're a place to share resources, whether that's extra dog food and squash, or a smile that comes with words of encouragement. A place where we swap stories and knowledge, trading tips from recipes to simple life hacks. A place where neighbors come together to forge solutions, one where hope grows. Our food bank is a place where everyone is valued equally for the unique gifts they bring. Our Executive Director, Gloria Hatcher-Mays, puts it simply as "knitting yourself into the fabric of being part of the community of solution. Solution around food insecurity and the lack of access to things that build resiliency for your neighbors. Anyone can be a part of that." 

Join us during GiveBIG to invest in community care. We’re looking for 275 neighbors to join us in raising $75,000 to nourish our general operating budget and fund our promise of food access for all. 

Mission

Nourish with great food, empower with knowledge, and serve with compassion.

Vision

A hunger-free South Seattle.

About Rainier Valley Food Bank

We don’t just want to hand guests a bag of food. We provide guests space to make choices in the food they provide for their family, and then we ask them what else they may need. We can’t do any of this without collaboration. From our service partners who join alongside us to provide wrap-around support, to the volunteers who work in partnership with us, and the local farms who provide our produce — ending hunger will take all of us. 

As the primary emergency food resource in Seattle’s most racially and economically diverse neighborhood, we are a low-barrier provider, ensuring that anyone can access our services regardless of housing status, income, zip code, or immigration status.

Learn More About Our Food Bank >>