SUMMER 2017 The mission of Northwest Harvest is to provide nutritious food to hungry people statewide in a manner that respects their dignity, while fighting to eliminate hunger. Fight to End Hunger Starts Upstream A message from Chief Executive Officer Shelley Rotondo At Northwest Harvest, we’ve details of these strengthened our efforts in leading the issues—but these A Mother’s and Father’s Day fight to end hunger in Washington. issues are priorities Gift From Northwest Harvest We continue to be an expert voice for us because of the direct on public policy priorities that impact impact they have on hunger. Northwest Harvest was very excited to give out over $360,000 worth of access to affordable, nutritious food, During the state legislative session, we and now, we are using our expertise premium, organic, non-GMO infant supported the work of housing coalitions formula to its network of food banks in hunger to move policy priorities and family support advocates to expand that work towards ending poverty. across Washington. Each food bank resources for housing and homelessness receiving the gifted formula has been Hunger does not exist in a vacuum: it is programs and strengthen cash assistance directed to freely and generously provide a byproduct of poverty. Hunger exists for families with children. Our federal it to any of their clients with infants. when households lack the income and advocacy works to protect Medicaid and resources they need to meet their access to affordable, quality health care. The inspiration for this gift is to honor our outgoing Hunger Response Network basic needs. Meals will be skipped When an issue is listed on our secondary if it means the money for food must Director, Bonnie Baker, who (after 24 support agenda, Northwest Harvest is years of working in the emergency food otherwise be spent on rent, medicine, making the commitment to educate or other necessities. If we want to end arena) is set to retire this coming fall. This lawmakers, our network, and the gift is her way of saying “thank you” to hunger, then we must make sure that general public about the connection households have a sound economic all the food bank partners throughout between the issue and hunger. We Washington for their tireless work and floor on which to stand and work their speak from our core knowledge base way towards stability and prosperity. dedication to improving the health and and the experiences we hear from wellbeing of their communities. It’s also Our secondary support agenda prioritizes clients and partner agencies; our focus another way to make a positive impact legislative and budget issues in the areas is still on ending hunger in Washington, on families with infants throughout of housing and homelessness, access to and to do that, we must end poverty. our state – helping ensure that our affordable health care, and increasing youngest are receiving the critical economic security. We do not consider nutrients needed for proper growth and ourselves experts on the technical development. “Every day, we’re so impressed by the intense, thoughtful, and dedicated work our partners give at the local level,” said Baker. “We are touched by the “We have a father/daughter living in their car that started compassion they show to families in coming to food bank. They are struggling in many ways crisis, by the love and generosity they show to strangers in need, and by the but being able to access fresh food has helped them countless hours of work they put into immensely with being able to cook fresher/healthier meals strengthening our communities.” in partnership with the safe parking program at the church Northwest Harvest received the formula [where they park]. This has helped them be able to focus at a significantly-reduced rate from more on getting into permanent housing and working on Chris Blake, Chief Operations Officer at the National Diaper Bank Network. their longer term goals.” Northwest Harvest would also like to —Hopelink - Redmond, King County thank Eastside Baby Corner for their role in making this gift happen. 2 :SUMMER 2017 Northwest Harvest Board of Directors 2016-17 “Anyone who seeks Irene Ward, Chair Catholic Community Services help deserves it.” of Western WA —Ruth Velozo, Former Executive Diana Axness, Chair-Elect Director of Northwest Harvest Community Volunteer For 50 years, Northwest Harvest has Eileen Takeuchi, Treasurer provided food to anyone in need Community Volunteer in a manner that respects their Kay Bassett dignity. We don’t ask questions and Heritage University we don’t discriminate. We want all Neal Boling who are in need to feel welcomed. KHQ-TV Currently, many of our newest Kathy Brown neighbors in need are receding into Community Volunteer the shadows, afraid to ask for help Joyce Cameron despite being hungry. National news Providence Health Care Foundation stories have reported how immigrants, regardless of their legal status in Dick Grader Community Volunteer the United States, have withdrawn from food assistance programs like Jeff Grant SNAP and school meals. A few of UPS our partners, particularly those near immigrant program participants, and Tim Groves the Canadian border, have noticed developed welcoming signs in numerous The Boeing Company as much as a 46% decline in Latino languages to let immigrant communities Cris Hales clients. These reports tell us that the know that they are welcome at the Tree Top, Inc fear of deportation is driving many food bank. Additionally, we have built Dan Harkins immigrants to withdraw from services a statewide committee of emergency Triple H Development LLC when they may need help the most. food providers to monitor and analyze SaSa Kirkpatrick We are not experts in immigration trends so we can tell the stories of Community Volunteer law or policy, but we are experts what is happening in our immigrant communities throughout the state. Scott McQuilkin in fighting hunger with dignity and Whitworth University respect for those in need. Northwest We hope our efforts provide reassurance Harvest is actively building coalitions that our nutritious food is available to Brandon Pedersen and facilitating trainings for food banks Alaska Air Group all in need. No one should go hungry on the topic of protecting immigrant because they are afraid to ask for help. Dwight Rives access to food assistance. We’ve Port of Seattle disseminated information about Craig Wilson individual legal rights, provided tips Costco Wholesale Corporation on safeguarding data collected from Northwest Harvest to Host 2017 Closing the Hunger Gap Conference Closing the Hunger Gap (CTHG) is a and their partners across the country health, education, and food justice. national network of organizations are dramatically reimagining their work The conference will be a vibrant, and individuals working to expand to include nutrition education, culinary diverse, and inspiring event where hunger relief efforts beyond food job training, small business incubation, attendees have ample time to learn distribution, and towards strategies connecting farmers to food pantries and new skills, discuss innovative programs, that promote social justice and institutional buyers, and so much more. and network with their peers. address the root causes of hunger. Northwest Harvest is excited to be Both Northwest Harvest and the CTHG envisions a time when all people hosting this year’s national conference CTHG National Network welcome can determine their own futures, on September 11‐13 in Tacoma, WA. your participation. If you would when nutritious food is recognized as This year’s conference brings together like to learn more about the 2017 a human right, and when there is a more than 500 attendees representing CTHG conference, please visit political will to end hunger and its root emergency food providers, farms, and thehungergap.org/2017‐conference. causes. Forward-thinking food banks nonprofit organizations focused on 3 :SUMMER 2017 ROOT OUT HUNGER NORTHWEST HARVEST 50TH ANNIVERSARY and solving for 50 years. That food is elemental to the thriving of communities. Food is foundational to every other thing you want to do to lift up communities.” Danielson added, “A child cannot learn and cannot feed its mind when their stomach is empty.” (If you would like to view highlights of this event – including the full remarks by Dr. Danielson, please visit northwestharvest.org/fifty-years.) Northwest Harvest commemorated Northwest Harvest’s 50th 50 years of fighting hunger by raising anniversary premier sponsors are over $425,000 at our inaugural Root The Boeing Company and Alaska Out Hunger event on Saturday, April 22. Airlines. Root Out Hunger sponsors Root Out Hunger celebrated the positive included: National Frozen Foods, impact Northwest Harvest has made CenturyLink, and Amazon.com. in communities throughout the state, as well as honored those committed to Additional sponsors of the event improving the health and nutrition of included: UPS, WSECU, ZVNBRGN those affected by hunger and poverty. Funds, Holland America, Baird, United Healthcare, Banner Bank, Clark “Northwest Harvest was just Nuber, Coldwell Banker Danforth, Bill overwhelmed by the support that we & Melinda Gates Foundation, Pugh received at our 50th event,” said the Capital Management, Seattle Children’s, agency’s CEO, Shelley Rotondo. “We are Tree Top, Inc, and Vulcan Inc. truly grateful for the generosity of the “Food is elemental people and businesses that joined us In-kind donors included: Grand Hyatt, in improving the health and wellbeing Tiffany & Co., Canlis, El Gaucho, Johnson to the thriving of of our communities.” Rotondo added, Barrow Co., Seattle Chocolates, Top “Every dollar we raised works to build Pot Doughnuts, Sigillo Cellars, Sun communities.” a healthier, hunger-free Washington.” Liquor, Bellevue Brewing, FinnRiver —Dr. Benjamin Danielson of Seattle’s Farm and Cidery, Chateau Ste. Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic Focusing the event on childhood nutrition, Michelle, William Church Winery, David Northwest Harvest received gifts totaling LeClaire, and Herbivore Botanicals.