Even if you are not the world’s biggest sports fan you have surly heard of March Madness, the catchy name used for college basketball’s playoff tournament. Some of us are decked out in our college apparel right down to our underwear, while others can’t even name more than two Washington schools (University of Washington and what’s that other one called?) No matter what kind of fan you are there is no denying how fun it can be to get a burger, some beer and yell silly things at the TV for an hour or so.

That’s why The Rainier Valley Food Bank is once again partnering with Rookies Sports Bar and Grill to bring you #MunchMadness!!!

Shelly started volunteering at the food bank in early 2015. She came in once a week to help out with data entry, and always had a friendly story to tell. Shelly is new to running but she decided this year to run the Seattle Half Marathon and raise money for the Rainier Valley Food Bank. Running this distance and fundraising are two things she has never done before. By her own admission, it makes her nervous but she is determined to succeed!

While many in our region now enjoy the fruits of economic recovery, there remain many thousands for whom things have only changed for the worse. In fact, area food banks are serving more people now than they did at the peak of the recession. Rainier Valley Food Bank (RVFB) now serves more than twice the number of families they fed in 2009, and saw a staggering 32% increase in demand in 2014 alone.

HELP US KEEP OUR SHELVES STOCKED THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Everyone here at Rainier Valley Food Bank (RVFB) loves spring; but spring also brings a significant set of challenges to the food bank. After the fervor of the winter holidays and the end-of-year contributions, RVFB sees a sizable dip in donations. A few months into the New Year, the wonderful and generous store of resources begins a slow drop, a “spring slump” for which we must prepare every year.

The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG event is back and we hope you’ll participate in this annual day of giving.

A classroom of kindergartners at Hawthorne Elementary School totally melted our hearts on Valentine’s Day. In just over a month, they collected more than $350 that will help us buy lots of fresh produce for our hungry neighbors. (Check out our Facebook photo galleries of Room 2’s coin-counting party and our Valentine’s Day visit.) Way to go, kids! And thanks to their awesome teacher, Katie Kribbs, for helping us pull it off.

Last year, we finally did it — elbow to merry elbow with dozens of other families at Geraldine’s Counter, which has hosted Rainier Valley Food Bank’s annual holiday cooking decorating party every year since it started back in 2008. Cookie decorating has never been a big thing in my family. Every year when the holidays roll around, it’s always been something we mean to do but never seem to squeeze in.

For the first time ever, Seattle Marathon is offering free registration for anyone who raises at least $300 for Rainier Valley Food Bank! Join our Team Feed crew, and run the full or half marathon on Nov. 25 for a great cause! Every dollar you raise will help us feed 11,000 people each month.

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.

Rainier Valley Food Bank first opened its doors as “Northwest Community Services” on May 1st, 1991. Since our humble beginnings as an all volunteer-run grassroots food pantry serving 50 to 100 households a month, we have come a loooong way, baby!