Reflections on our 2026 Gala
What does it mean to be rooted in community? We asked guests to reflect and share at the event and we heard that it means to be loved, supported, and included.
Strong roots help communities grow and thrive. And at RVFB, those roots run deep. Every day, our neighbors, volunteers, and partners remind us what it means to care and support each other. Our annual Community Harvest Gala, Rooted in Resilience, was a chance to celebrate, eat, and gather.
And what a night: together we raised $268,000! The funds will support the programs and services our neighbors rely on, like keeping our grocery store stocked with fresh, healthy, and culturally-relevant foods and getting groceries to neighbors who can’t make it to the food bank.
Each of us has a role to play in this interlocking system to nurture a thriving system of connection, joy, and support. Like the mycelium network, growing and thriving underground: we are all connected and united in our work to end hunger in South Seattle. Our hope: that neighbors will continue to turn to us for support. And their children will grow up telling stories of community strength, neighbors who take care of each other, and a place filled with hope and camaraderie.
The evening was full of laughter, meaningful moments, and of course delicious food.
Food is the heart of what we do, so we were especially excited to partner with Chef Mel Rico, Executive Chef at Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes Catering, who brought our mycelium network theme to life with an incredible dessert. Inspired by the forest floor, the woodland mousse featured layers of espresso oat crumble, chocolate mousse, shiitake caramel, and nettle coconut crumb, topped with candied beech mushrooms. And it was vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free so everyone could enjoy.
Geoff, 2024 bag packing champion, crowning our 2026 bag packing champion.
Photo by Julia Smiljanic
Woodland mousse, created by Chef Mel Rico
Photo by Julia Smiljanic
This year the competition was fierce! Our trivia champions took home a mushroom foraging certificate, while Geoff, the 2024 champion, returned to defend his title. Another competitor took home the victory after multiple rounds throughout the evening and Geoff graciously crowned the new champion.
Who better than audience favorite, emcee, and auctioneer Sasha Summer Cousineau, to keep the fun going? Sasha brought her signature energy, humor, and playfulness to the room.
We welcomed back a familiar face, Tara Migliore, who worked at RVFB for 4 years, starting as the Agency Administrator and later as our first Operations Manager. Tara has helped shape the work and growth of RVFB and continues to make an impact for our neighbors through the partnership developed with Uplift Northwest, bringing warm showers onsite 7 days a week. It was so special to have Tara share her reflections on the messy, beautiful, and sometimes complicated work of building community.
“I am able to stand here tonight because of the legacy built by every volunteer and staff member who came before me, and by those who keep showing up today. And now we are the ones carrying that legacy forward.”
-Guest Speaker Tara Migliore, former RVFB staff member and current Senior Philanthropy and Data Strategy Manager at Uplift Northwest
She left us a beautiful reminder of what is still possible together:
“ I think we know, in our bones, that what we have built together at Rainier Valley Food Bank is only a fraction of what is possible. So, as we remember the past – I hope we hold it lightly. Let it breathe. Let it sing. And weave that song into what we build next.”
-Tara Migliore
Sasha Summer Cousineau
Photo by Julia Smiljanic
Guest Speaker, Tara Migliore
Photo by Julia Smiljanic
If you weren’t able to join us at the gala, you can still be part of the impact. Make a gift today and help ensure our neighbors have access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant food.
Community Shout Outs!
A huge thank you to the many people and partners who made this celebration possible.
Our gala task force and development committee, especially event co-chairs Calandra Childers and Tracy Middlebrook.
Our generous event sponsors: Amazon, Arcora Foundation, Brighton Jones, Camber Collective, Caruso Produce, Charlie's Produce, Datec Inc., Heritage Bank, and Windermere Mount Baker.
Our wonderful event vendors and partners: 4105 Seattle, Live Oak, Catering by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes, Synchronicity Events, Jude's Old Town, Flying Lion Brewing, Georgetown Brewing, WT Vintners, and SPD Explorer's Club.
And most of all, thank you to everyone who showed up, pitched in, gave generously, and celebrated with us. This is what being rooted in resilience looks like. We are so grateful and honored to be in this work together with you all.