Photo Credit: King 5                                                                              

Finding a way to feed the community, no matter what

Our team recently visited Spanaway Food Bank, a longtime partner of EFN. Looking back, Spanaway’s Executive Director Harold Smith can’t remember exactly when the partnership started, but it’s remained steadfast through a period of many changes. Smith, better known as Smokey, has been leading the Spanaway Food Bank for 14 years now. Under his leadership, the Spanaway Food Bank has continued serving the neighborhood through a devastating fire in 2019 and the years of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Abundance During Crisis: A Stark Contrast to Today’s Needs

Now, he looks back on those years and wishes he could serve his current customers like he did then. During the pandemic, food and fund donations poured in. People who might have visited the food bank could use other forms of assistance – increased SNAP benefits, stimulus payments – to buy their own food. Spanaway Food Bank had more than enough to serve the customers who did visit. Now, “more than enough” feels like a faraway dream.  

Instead, “the struggle is real” more accurately describes the current reality. Visits are elevated, but food and financial donations are not keeping pace with the need. While about 60 volunteers from several local churches are engaged with the food bank, it is still difficult to find the consistent support they need. EFN is a crucial lifeline in this difficult time, providing about 75% of their overall food supply along with technical assistance. But to move from struggle to abundance, the Spanaway Food Bank needs more. They need more food and financial support. “Hunger doesn’t just strike during the holidays, or during the pandemic. Hunger is an ongoing, everyday issue,” says Smith.

The Spanaway Food Bank is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12-2pm, at 16001 A St S, Spanaway, WA. Customers can visit the food pantry once a month, and unhoused neighbors can receive ready-to-eat food daily.

How to help:

Connect with Smokey to volunteer, support their work, or learn more about their needs by calling 253-209-9838.