Search

White Center Emergency Food Association 

Description

White Center Emergency Food Association, dba White Center Food Bank (WCFB) provides emergency food assistance in West Seattle, White Center and Burien. In 2012 WCFB served 64,148 individuals / 20,476 families;95% of our families qualify as very-low income (less than 30% of median income for King County, WA). White Center Food Bank serves a highly diverse client base: 28% Caucasian, 25.3% Hispanic, 16.8% Asian, 3% American Indian, 1% Pacific Islander, 10.7% African American, 15.2% Multi-Racial. Over 36% of our clients are under age 18 while 14.6% are over age 55. Last year we saw a steep increase in seniors and children in need of food. 

Mission Statement
The mission of the White Center Food Bank is to minimize hunger, while nourishing community, nurturing self-reliance and embracing our rich cultural diversity.
Donate Now
White Center Emergency Food Association
10829 8th Ave SW 
Seattle 
WA
98146-2225 
(206) 762-2848 

Mr. Richard A. Jump 
Executive Director 

Programs

White Center Emergency Food Association Programs

White Center Food Bank provides the following services:                    

  • Food distributions: three day-time food distributions per week, one seniors-only distribution per week, one Saturday distribution and two evening distributions per month.                                 
  • Our Baby Pantry provides diapers, baby foods, formula and baby equipment for children.                       
  • The WCFB Mobile Food Bank currently delivers fresh foods to 2 senior/disabled persons’ housing complexes for those seniors and disabled persons that are not able to reach our physical location due to poor health or advanced age.    
  • Home deliveries for home-bound, infirm clients.                     
  • Weekly cooking instruction for clients in collaboration with King County Public Health provides our clients with healthy recipes and cooking advice on how to use the products we have on our shelves.                        
  • Our Healthy Food Gift Certificate Program provides each client/family with a $5 certificate to purchase fresh and culturally familiar produce at 3 White Center family/ immigrant owned markets. In 2011, this program provided 85,000 pounds of produce to our clients.                                     
  • Demonstration/harvesting gardens located on the grounds of WCFB, and adjacent at King County Public Health provide fresh produce for our distributions, and clients are able to harvest seasonally the available produce. Additionally, a garden in cooperation with King County Parks is located near-by at White Center Heights Park where any community resident may garden and are encouraged to donate their produce to WCFB.
  • Cultural foods purchasing program to meet the cultural and dietetic needs of our diverse client base. 
  • In-take services provided in Spanish, English, Vietnamese, Chinese and in 2012 Arabic will be added. 

 

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

The need in our community remains strong for our services. Our Mobile Food Bank Program now serves 500 seniors and disabled clients per month at three sites. At each distribution all clients are provided with milk, eggs, proteins (meat or vegetarian including Halal meats). Our Healthy Food Gift Certificate Program has a redemption rate of 75% providing our clients with fresh, healthy produce they would not otherwise have access to. In 2012, volunteers donated over 17,000 hours of time to provide over 1.5 million pounds of food to our clients. 

Evaluation


White Center Emergency Food Association, also known as White Center Food Bank (WCFB), provides emergency food assistance to residents of White Center, Highline, Boulevard Park and Southwest Seattle. They have seen an 80% increase in need for their services since the start of the recession.

Proven Success
Every client who comes to the food bank receives a $5.00 voucher once a month through the Healthy Food Gift Certificate Program, which can be used at three different markets in White Center to obtain fresh fruits or vegetables. The markets are immigrant owned and have the produce many of their clients are seeking at affordable prices. The Healthy Food Gift Certificate Program has a 75% redemption rate.

Their Mobile Food Bank Program delivers food to three senior and disabled low-income housing complexes, twice a week in an effort to serve individuals who are unable to come to the food bank. At Arrowhead Gardens they served 80 individuals in their first delivery. They have projected that they will be serving nearly 80% of the renters in 400 units once the building has full occupancy. An additional delivery program will be set in motion once the apartment complex is ready for occupancy. By year end, they expect to serve 3,600 seniors and disabled persons through the Mobile Food Bank Program.

Accessibility and Cultural Competency
WCFB serves a diverse community with 43% of their clients being Hispanic and 15% Asian/Pacific Islander. They seek out foods that are culturally relevant and address dietary needs, including Halal meat for Muslim families. Agency materials are printed in four languages, and they recruit volunteers who can assist with language needs during distribution. They have recently hired staff who speak Vietnamese, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic to do intake.

Partnerships and Collaboration
WCFB partners with Food Lifeline, Northwest Harvest, Westside Baby, and the South King County Food Bank Coalition. They are located next to King County Public Health which offers them cooking demonstrations using the food bank’s ingredients. Additionally, a community garden is located near the food bank where residents may garden and donate their produce to WCFB.

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.
6/10/2009 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
6/16/2005 $10,000.00support the capital campaign.

Financials

Similar Organizations

Give broadly to Basic Needs
If you care about preventing homelessness, increasing affordable housing, and ensuring access to nutritious food, then make a difference by giving to the Grantmaking Program.
Questions or comments about this organization?
Contact us to learn more.