To be alive and present to the needs of those around us—especially those we serve—is to continuously be aware of the filters through which we view the world. These filters are formed by some things that are learned, like our belief systems or our political views. Some filters are formed by things we have no choice in, like our race, our gender, and an enormous array of other factors that contribute to how we see ourselves, the world, and those around us. The more transparent our filters become, the better we are able to serve with true humility and compassion—two cornerstones of real justice. The more transparent our filters become, the more we are able to approach a deeper understanding of our fellow beings, and thus contribute to a more just society.

Racial inequality has been at the forefront of our news and conversations, and at RVFB we see that food access is innately linked with social justice. We asked community leader Kenya Fredie to share her thoughts on how growing food impacts social justice. Kenya wears multiple hats as Dept. Neighborhoods P-Patch Community Garden Coordinator, “Growing for Giving” Volunteer at Judkins P-Patch, and dedicated steward to her daughter, her earth, and her community.

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.

At RVFB, we love summer because it is the time of year when local gardens and farms donate crates upon crates of beautiful organic vegetables for us to distribute to our hungry neighbors. People always ask us where our food comes from, and this summer we have two dates dedicated to showing a couple of those sources!

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!

Whether it be dedicating a portion of produce from your home garden to our food bank or dropping in on a garden work party, your work to bring in more healthy food for our food guests will be met with a tremendous amount of appreciation!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Rainier Valley Food Bank is excited to continue our charity partnership with the Seattle Marathon. Yes, It’s true. Crazy people pay others so that they can run really far. But heck, that why it’s so fun!

Ready to get your Chow on?!

Our annual Chow Down fundraiser is almost here and we are as excited as ever! It’s a fantastic way to support local businesses in Columbia City and to highlight the many great restaurants in the area.

HELP US KEEP OUR SHELVES STOCKED THROUGH THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Our partnership with glassybaby, which was announced in July of this year, has an added benefit during the month of December…

glassybaby will donate 10% of all Madrona store sales in the month of December to the Rainier Valley Food Bank.

Have you ever seen folks outside of the grocery store collecting cans and donations for RVFB? That’s our weekly food drive crew and we’re in need of some new volunteers!

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.

This September RVFB & Bike Works will host an Urban Agriculture Bike Tour of farms & gardens growing food security & food justice in beautiful Southeast Seattle.

Rainier Valley Food Bank is seeking folks to run in the 2013 Seattle Full & Half Marathon and raise funds for food security in South Seattle as they train. Inspire yourself and your community!

Victoria is currently an intern with Lettuce Link, a program of Solid Ground! She volunteers with RVFB every Wednesday and talks to our clients about the Seattle Community Farm work-trade program and free cooking classes. On top of that, she has been super helpful as a Cantonese translator!