WFC Recognized for Anti-Hunger Advocacy at Mayor's End Hunger Awards

On Thursday, June 18th, 2015 the Meals Partnership Coalition held the 2015 Hunger Summit "Outside the Box". This day of knowledge and meal sharing ended with the 21st Mayors End Hunger Awards. This award honors individuals, organizations, businesses, and public servants who are doing exceptional work to eliminate hunger in the Seattle-area community.

 There were many recipients of the Mayors End Hunger Awards honoring different aspects and ways of fighting hunger. The Washington Food Coalition received an award for Outstanding Political Advocacy. Pictured right is Trish Twomey and Mayor Ed Murray. The plaque Trish is holding is also pictured below and reads: In recognition of your work on behalf of those who struggle with hunger we honor you for your compassionate and dedicated action. We are inspired by the example of your work in our community, which demonstrates how individuals and groups can make a powerful difference towards ending hunger. Other recipients of the award include: Peggy Sue Drury for Outstanding Individual Service, ATS Automation was the Outstanding Corporate Community Leader, and Community Lunch won Outstanding Program.

The Washington Food Coalition's advocacy for the Emergency Food Assistance Program is one piece in a larger community of outstanding anti-hunger advocates who are working to create a hunger-free Washington. The EFAP request is one of many initiatives during the 2015 Legislative session that are crucial to ending poverty and hunger in our State, please see the other initiatives here. The community of anti-hunger advocates includes key organizational partners, lobbyists, and WFC members. Each of these entities were essential to the success of our advocacy initiative. Our work throughout the legislative session would not have been possible without the support of and collaboration with Northwest Harvest and the Anti-Hunger Nutrition Coalition. In addition, WFC had the outstanding services of Ceiba Consulting. Lastly, but definitely not least, the Advocacy Champions within the Washington Food Coalition membership made substantial efforts to contact their elected officials, meet with them, and testify in Olympia.  

In all, advocacy, and making a difference in society, is a community effort. The Washington Food Coalition is thankful and humbled by the recognition received through the 2015 Mayor's End Hunger Award. In accepting this award, WFC represents the efforts and passions of our members and partners as well as the effort of our staff. We cannot thank and honor the anti-hunger champions across the State enough.

Written by Dani Gilmour, Advocacy and Communications Assistant

University Commons- service with dignity!

Empowerment through service is the truest way to make an impact in a community. Creating stability is the first step to providing opportunities. The University District Food Bank and the Low Income Housing Institute are creating such opportunities right here in the U District. University Commons highlights the most innovative approaches to eradicating poverty through direct service.

The current U District Food Bank resides in the basement of University Christian Church, which is historical at this point! (the Washington Food Coalition office is upstairs). Limited space leads to a less amount of healthy options available to store and distribute. The limited space also creates a long line that often snakes around the block. Service with dignity is essential, and the University Food Bank aspires to create an inviting atmosphere for its customers.  The new food bank in University Commons will triple the space of the current location.

"We've been In this same basement for 32 years and while the space hasn't grown the need definitely has," said Joe Gruber, Executive Director of the University District Food Bank. "We're working with around 1,100 households a week in that same space. It means we're distributing 40,000 lbs. of food from an 800 square foot room."

“One of the important aspects - the U District has always had is an affordable housing mix. This is one small opportunity to preserve some of that.”

Joe Gruber, Executive Director of the University District Food Bank

It is clear that hunger is a national tragedy in a country as rich as ours. According to Feeding America research, hunger is present in every single county. Joel Berg, a keynote speaker at the WFC Conference in 2014, breaks down the economic tolls hunger has on our success as a society in this video. His platform rests on the power of basic needs being met, and necessarily not by the private sector either. Just like water and air, people have a right to food, and our government needs the ability to secure safety from hunger for all.

Studio style housing will be above the new food bank. Designed to be accessible for youth involved in job training also housed in the center. Permanent housing is shown to effectively confront homelessness, in a cost effective and humane, respectful way, also shown to be a recent success in Utah.

In all, the project is an all-around good idea that we are lucky to have in the University District. This area is definitely boundless.

Some photos From the event:

Marion West
Civil rights champion; honored through
the housing portion of the University
Commons which is named after her

Sharon Lee
ED of Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)

Joe Gruber
ED of the University District Food Bank

Article by Dani Gilmour, danielle@wafoodcoalition.org

Photos by Trish Twomey, trish@wafoodcoalition.org

2015 Hunger Summit & Mayors End Hunger Awards: Tomorrow!

The Meals Partnership Coalition Presents: SAVE THE DATE! 2015 Hunger Summit &  Mayors End Hunger Awards June 18th, 2015: 10AM ~ 2PM St. Marks Cathedral: 10th Ave E Seattle, WA 98102 WE ARE THRILLED TO PRESENT THE 2015 HUNGER SUMMIT KEYNOTE SPEAKER: GRAHAM KERR We hope you will join us for this years Out of the Box HUNGER SUMMIT.  Our Keynote speaker Graham Kerr (www.grahamkerr.com) will delight us with his off the wall humor and extraordinary stories. Chefs are planning a superb "Meal for Many" hands on workshop (on dietary restrictions, food safety, and nutritional pairing), in the kitchen, for those wishing to roll up their sleeves, put on the gloves, and create our luncheon extraordinaire! If cooking isn't your passion, but food justice is, the Food Equity and Sovereignty workshop is for you! During lunch the 4 member innovative panel will share best practices information, with a Q and A. The day culminates with the 21st Mayors End Hunger Awards, honoring  individuals, organizations, businesses, and public servants who are doing exceptional work to eliminate hunger in our community. The nomination form can be found at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MfrIzrErNFF8NpLu0gCzZy2BQ5BYLHoINhy0KBXiPVI/viewform The event is no-charge, however, there is a suggested donation of $10 to defray the cost of the meal and venue. (Donation is not mandatory for attendance) Registration at Brown Paper Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1564989 For more information lease call 206 922 2015.   We hope you will join us for Hunger Summit 2015!