Meet Our Members - Providence Regina House

Providence Regina House

Today, Providence Regina House runs a successful food bank, serving 300 families each week. In addition, they run a clothing bank onsite for their clients. They also provide grocery delivery for 30 clients per week.

Recently, they started the South Park Fresh Starts program, where they utilized a greenhouse in order to be able to hand out plant starts to their clients. So far, this program turned out 5-6000 lbs of food provided so far.

A core group of 40 volunteers, in addition to 300 occasional volunteers, make this program successful. They also credit their success to strong community support, as the South Park community is very tight knit.

History of Providence Regina House

Providence Regina House has been serving those in need in the Seattle area since 1963. The roots of the ministry began as a response by Sister Mary Regina Bomber and the Sisters of Providence to those who sought food by knocking at the kitchen door of Providence Seattle Medical Center in the Central District. Originally known as the Mother Emilie Gamelin Department, the ministry’s name was later changed to the House of the Poor, until Sister Regina’s death in 1984. At this time, it became Providence Regina House in honor of Sister Regina’s great work and dedication feeding, clothing and visiting countless families in need.

In 2003, due to the sale of a portion of the historic building in which Providence Regina House was located, it was necessary to find a new home for the ministry. After a six-month closure, Regina House re-opened its doors on November 22nd, 2003 to serve the people of the South Park community.

Vision

Providence Regina House is committed to affirming the basic human worth and dignity of all persons. They envision a community where each person’s basic needs for daily living are met. Upholding the heritage and tradition of the Sisters of Providence they will:
• Provide goods and services within the local community
• Partner with community organizations that share common values to meet the needs of persons who are poor and vulnerable
• Advocate for thei neighbors by increasing awareness of the unmet needs in our community
• Act as a referral source for needed community services

Quick Tips for Cold Weather

(Click on image to enlarge and/or print document)

Meet Our Members - St. Leo's Food Connection

St. Leo Food Connection!

Pierce County's Largest Food Bank

From their beginnings in a Hilltop garage in 1982 to today, the St. Leo Food Connection has been a consistent source of nutritious food and caring for people in need throughout Pierce County.

The multiple programs they operate include:

1. the St. Leo Food Bank, the largest food bank in Pierce County, serving nearly 10,000 families per month.
2. the Springbrook Mobile Food Bank.
3. a Backpack Program that provides two days worth of kid-friendly food to elementary school students on Fridays throughout the school year to nearly 400 children in 11 schools.
4. fifteen Summer Meals sites, providing children 18 and younger with lunch and a snack on weekdays throughout the summer (in Summer 2010 they ran 25 sites but plan to pull back in 2011 and focus on strategic sites).
5. the Sutherland Orchard, which provides organic apples and berries for their clients.
6. Leo's Garden, a demonstration and community garden located at the St. Leo Food Connection.

St. Leo's takes pride in distributing nutritious food, realizing that their clients are among society's most vulnerable: Over 50 percent of their clients at both the St. Leo Food Bank and the Springbrook Mobile Food Bank are children and the elderly. These populations are the most affected by a compromised diet. They require no proof of need from our clients, serving all Pierce County residents who come to them. All of their donated food and funds come from individuals, businesses, foundations, and other organizations.

More images from the Food Connection:

Kevin Glackin-Coley serves as the Executive Director of St. Leo's Food Connection.

Leo's Garden, when in season, provides opportunities for gardening demonstrations and fresh produce.

During operating hours, this room is buzzing with clients being served through the food bank, where they are able to shop and pick out items that are appropriate for their family's needs.

These supplies are for the backpack program and are items that make it easy for children to prepare their own meals.

This fruit picker is used by volunteers in the Gleaning Project to pull down fresh fruit from nearby orchards.

Food Connection operates 2 large vans for food pickup, delivery, and mobile food banking.