Washington Food Coalition News: Meet Our Members: University District Food Bank

by Sariga Santhosh, Development Assistant

Welcome to UDFB

You wouldn't know it based on appearances alone, but the University District Food Bank is a big deal. For 30 years, the food bank has been a permanent fixture in its community, providing clients in the northeast Seattle area with the resources to make nutritionally balanced meals at home. Last year, this third-busiest food bank in the city distributed about 2.3 million pounds of food over the span of 55,000 customer visits. Open 5 days a week, the food bank relies heavily on the manpower of its small yet dedicated staff and volunteers. Even more impressive is the fact this wonderful work happens in an 800 square foot space!

Food bank entrance

You can enroll for food stamps here!

Stacked boxes used for the delivery program

This busy food bank runs some popular programs to meet the different needs of its community. The Packs For Kids program is a collaborative effort between the food bank and four local public schools to ensure students have access to healthy food choices during the weekends. Similarly, the home delivery program reaches elderly and disabled customers at their homes when accessing the food bank can pose an issue. Both programs are run by a full-time Home Delivery Coordinator, Annika Janzen. Her tireless work, like that of other staff members and countless volunteers, helps keep these important programs afloat.

Food bank volunteers chatting with drop off donors

The University District Food Bank thrives on the strong community relationships it has built with businesses in the area that keep its pantries stocked all year round. Stores that call themselves weekly donors include Safeway, Quality Food Centers (QFC), Starbucks, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Bartell Drugs, and several bakeries to name a few. Sometimes, donations come in the form of produce harvested from neighborhood vegetable patches. Having such loyal and diverse weekly donors help keep this little food bank a household name.

Mural outside the food bank

During these trying times, the food bank estimates that about two-thirds of the households that use the food bank have at least one person currently employed, but rely on the food bank to reallocate limited funds towards other monthly expenses like gas and childcare. Despite the strain placed by the growing numbers of customers, these are exciting times for the University District Food Bank. Currently in the middle of their Fight Hunger, Build Hope capital campaign, a 3 year/ $3 million campaign to expand distribution and storage capacity through the acquisition of a new and bigger facility, the food bank is optimistic about their ability to reach even more people in need and empower them with access to vital community resources that will help lift themselves out of poverty.