Submitted by Hopelink

New tool to benefit local food bank: “Gleaning Coordinator” will help increase donations

The dictionary defines gleaning as “gathering grain or other produce” – a positive approach to dealing with extra fruits and vegetables that might otherwise go to waste.

For Hopelink’s Sno-Valley food bank, gleaning is the latest tool in helping stock the shelves for hungry local families.

Through a partnership between Hopelink, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and Rotary First Harvest, a new Gleaning Coordinator located at Hopelink’s Sno-Valley center in Carnation will help connect farms, food banks and volunteers to gather fresh produce for local families.

When the growing season begins, volunteers will join gleaning excursions to nearby farms, yards, gardens and orchards to harvest food and get it into Hopelink and other Sno-Valley food banks. The new approach will build on local efforts that are already underway, as well as adding a new focus on food preparation and education.

Current gleaning efforts include the market recovery project that collects donations for Hopelink from the Carnation Farmers Market. Additionally, local farms and farmers have been very charitable in donating their abundance to food banks. And numerous retail stores in the area donate generous quantities of non-perishable foods, baked goods and much more, which goes a long way toward providing for Hopelink families. Unfortunately, Hopelink’s Sno- Valley food bank is still very short on fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as shelf-stable protein (such as peanut butter and tuna).

Recently, food banks all across the United States suffered funding cuts. For many food banks, these funds had been used as purchasing power to fill the gaps between what is donated and what is needed – mainly meats and fresh vegetables. Without that funding, purchasing power has diminished while the need for food assistance is on the rise.

In King County, total visits to food banks have increased by 27 percent over the past 10 years, and hunger is hurting the most vulnerable. According to the USDA, nearly two out of the five people who rely on food banks are under 18 or over 55 years of age. United Way has learned that 1 out of 6 people living in King County doesn’t know where his or her next meal will come from. For children, that statistic is even worse: 1 in 4 kids may go hungry on any given day.

In Carnation, Hopelink’s Sno-Valley office helps between 145 and 185 families every month, with services including financial assistance for housing, transportation and food assistance through the food bank. Additionally, every first and third Thursday, The Lunch Bunch provides a free lunch. Hopelink also offers services such as home energy support, adult education and a clothing bank to relieve additional financial burdens.

Food donations continue to be desperately needed by Hopelink food banks, and are always appreciated. When summer returns and the growing season begins again, Hopelink volunteers will be available to pick up extra produce from local farms and backyard gardeners alike.

For more information about Hopelink’s gleaning program, contact Lisa Harper at 206.579.6886 or lharper@ hope- link.org. For information about other Hopelink services, visit www.hope-link.org