University District Food Bank

Mission

Our mission is to support people experiencing food insecurity in Northeast Seattle by providing high quality, culturally familiar food and connecting them with vital resources.

Description

The University District Food Bank plays a critical role as a safety net for many of our neighbors. In 2024, the Food Bank responded to over 116,000 household (325,000+ individual) requests for food, without turning anyone away or providing less than three days' worth of food. As Northeast Seattle faces rising economic and social pressures, household demand for food bank services has increased by 70% in just two years. At the same time the households we serve have grown in size and we have seen more than 130% growth in the number of individuals served. Meanwhile, food donations have declined, quadrupling our food purchasing costs over the past four years. To meet this growing need, we rely on community members like you who share our commitment to feeding our neighbors. 

For more than 42 years, University District Food Bank has helped prevent hunger in Northeast Seattle neighborhoods. Each week, more than 2,500 families receive the groceries they need to prepare nutritionally balanced meals at home. Our innovative grocery store styled shopping system maximizes customer choice and ensures that all food bank customers take home three days of healthy food that is most appropriate to their specific needs and preferences. Additionally, each week we deliver groceries to 550 households in our Home Delivery program, provide weekend meals to almost 1,000 elementary, middle and high school students in our Packs For Kids program, and supply groceries to 390 individuals and families at our North Seattle College and Magnuson Park Community food pantries. Additionally, our Community Connector team links customers to vital resources outside the foodbank, helping customers improve economic stability and self-sufficiency. In 2024 we were excited to launch our Apple a Day Cafe where we now serve hot meals 3 days per week. Plans are underway to add a 4th day of service in 2025.

Thank you for supporting your neighbors by supporting the University District Food Bank.