Looking for new ideas of what to make? We’re delighted to share a new budget-friendly recipe idea every month in partnership with The Pantry! This month’s recipe is Split Lentil & Vegetable Soup.

Planning a special dinner for Valentine’s dinner tomorrow? Whether it be with a romantic partner, close friend, dear family member, or awkward new roommate, share some love this Valentine’s Day with a warm bowl of Borscht! Red beets are the MVP in this Ukrainian soup, turning a medley of vegetables into a dreamy fuchsia fantasy.

Sam’s Lobster & Prawn Mac-n-Cheese Uhhhhh, yum! Doesn’t this look ahhhhhhmazing! This is Sam Osborne, RVFB Executive Director’s take on an ‘ol classic. From our food-lovin’-oven to your yours … ENJOY!

Sally Teodoro, originally from Manila, Philippines, volunteers weekly as a line host, coordinating our waiting process and greeting folks as they enter to receive food. She knows just how to keep our waiting area organized and in order with kindness and humor!

This month we would like to highlight one of our interns from Seattle Central College: Jesse Rowher! Jesse has been interning at Rainier Valley Food Bank for the last 9 months, and has made a tremendous impact in improving our training methods for new volunteers, solidifying roles on distribution days, creating an express bag system, and integrating Kaizen into our distribution day operations to improve our efficiency. Moreover, he has seamlessly integrated himself into our community, and is a joy to watch interact with our food guests. Thank you, Jesse, for being awesome.

This month we would like to highlight Willieetta Smith! Willie first came to RVFB 11 months ago and has been gracing us with her presence ever since. The kindness and patience that she brings on distribution days truly help create a hospitable environment for every guest that she greets. We appreciate how Willie is always optimistic, and always willing to help where needed. Thanks Willie, for sharing your beautiful smile with all of us!

Meet Lou! Lou has been volunteering at RVFB for 2 years. His humble and positive nature embodies the environment we are trying to create at the food bank. And for the last few weeks he has been transforming the back wall of our distribution room into an artistic masterpiece! With some chalk and a black wall, he has inserted a vibrant country landscape into our food bank.

In the South, where I grew up, we call stuffing “dressing,” and there’s only one way to make it for the holiday table: with cornbread. Here’s my take on a Southern classic that I’ve fine-tuned over the last 20 years or so. You can always omit the sausage and substitute vegetable broth to make it vegetarian, but I don’t recommend it! The following cornbread recipe is not great by itself, but is perfect as the foundation for this savory mountain of goodness.

Jeanée Natov, AmeriCorps VISTA at Rainier Valley Food Bank shares a family favorite, Stroganoff. For a complete list of ingredients, check out this Seattle Times recipe.

Sam Osborne, RVFB Executive Director, bestows his wow-worthy recipe! This will surely make nice with your neighbors!

Today, every dollar you donate through The Seattle Foundation will be matched by a pool of sponsors, including some of the region’s most generous givers. Spring is the time of year when food banks across the country see a dip in donations. There’s no better time to help us and your community.