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Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services 

Description

We service low income households in the Black Diamond, Covington, Hobart, Maple Valley, Ravensdale area. We provide free food weekly to households who find themselves in need. We have found that families with basic food needs are often experiencing other challenges as well. In addition to food assistance, we offer a suite of wrap around services to help households become more stable and food secure. We provide financial assistance for utility disconnects, eviction notices, and medication. During the summer months we double the amount of food to households with children.

Mission Statement
To provide food and emergency services to residents in our service area and to educate, empower and engage our community in solving issues of hunger and nutrition. Vision Statement: Building a healthy community free of hunger.
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Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services
21415 Maple Valley Hwy 
Maple Valley 
WA
98038 
(425) 432-8633 

Lila Henderson 
Executive Director 

Programs

Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services Programs

Food Bank
We offer a self select shopping system that lets clients make choices of the kinds of foods that would best meet their dietary and cultural needs. Each week customers have access to fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, breads, and pastries. On a monthly basis we provide staples such as peanut butter, soups, meal in a can, milk, eggs, meats, beans, rice and miscellaneous items. We deliver food to homebound households. At Thanksgiving and Christmas a turkey will all the trimmings is provided so families can cook in the comforts of their own homes.

Emergency Services Programs
Financial Assistance Program provides financial aid to qualified households who have utility disconnect notices, prescription drugs, medical bills, bus passes, and other emergency needs. Rental Assistance Program, helps with eviction notices and move in costs. Children Christmas Gift Store is filled with new gifts for children ages newborn to 15 years of age. Parents choose 3 to 4 gifts per child, a stuffed animal and receive stocking stuffers. Back to School Backpack Program, helps equip school age children with backpacks filled with school supplies

Wrap Around Services
Households who access our food bank are in need of wrap around services to help stabilize their housing which strengthens food security. Outreach workers on are site to help veterans, homeless or those in threat of becoming homeless, and sign households up for Basic Food. We developed a referral hand out listing other resources: DSHS offices, medical programs, clothing banks, shelter and abuse programs, and other housing and financial assistance programs that serve our clients.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

Our agency is in need of food and funds to help with utility bills, rent assistance, purchase of milk, eggs and fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Evaluation


Maple Valley Food Bank and Emergency Services (MVFB) provides emergency assistance to the citizens of the Tahoma School District and the cities of Maple Valley, Covington and Black Diamond.

Use of Best Practices
MVFB utilizes a shopping model that allows customers to make choices about products that meet their individual needs.  Customers have weekly access to fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, and dairy products.  Customers can pick up staples such as rice, beans, canned soup, eggs, and meat on a monthly basis.  MVFB also provides additional emergency financial services such as rent, medication, and utility assistance.

Leadership
The MVFB has a strong executive director with over 15 years of experience with the organization, and a highly engaged board of directors.  Leadership has been extremely successful at engaging the local community and provides excellent stewardship of resources.

Partnerships and Collaboration
The MVFB participates in the South King County Food Coalition, a membership organization of 10 area food banks.  They are members of Food Lifeline and Northwest Harvest.  WSU provides a weekly Food Sense educator who teaches food bank customers about how to prepare meals with what is being distributed from the food bank, healthy eating habits, and maximizing value and nutrition when food dollars are limited.   Staff and board are actively involved with the local Chamber of Commerce, Maple Valley Community Center, as well as numerous churches and service groups who support the food bank.   

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
3/10/2013 $10,000.00provide general operating support.
3/10/2011 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
12/10/2009 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
6/16/2005 $15,000.00support the capital campaign.

Financials

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