Pierce County Aids Foundation understands the importance of incorporating food into a well-rounded social services program for the local HIV/AIDS community. A consistent, diverse, and nutritious food supply is a foundation for health, and even more so when an individual may be on medication that needs to be accompanied by a good meal, or is facing barriers of injustice and social stigma. Located just past their pleasant and welcoming front lobby, the PCAF Food Pantry serves about 40 of their guests per month. Emergency Food Network is proud to call this vital program one of our partners.

Alix Harvey is PCAF’s Client Services Assistant, a role that includes stocking the pantry and assisting guests with the self-select model pantry on Thursday mornings. The program began with soup service and became the current model about 5 years ago. Alix started out as a volunteer who felt a calling to work in HIV/AIDS case management. It was a perfect fit for them when PCAF created the client services position, allowing Alix to pursue their passion full time.

All told, the food pantry distributes around 1300 pounds of food every month. About 95% of this comes from EFN. While the food itself is the foundation of the pantry, Alix and their coworkers are well aware that the benefits of having the pantry are much more far reaching. Food is a welcoming way to invite people in, and is often the gateway for guests to begin accessing PCAF’s other services such as mental and physical health support and resources for AIDS prevention. Many guests are repeats, so the food pantry creates an opportunity for social interaction that some may struggle to find elsewhere. They look forward to Thursdays mornings as a time to see their friends and acquaintances that they have made through the program.

If you are interested in learning more about the important work of Pierce County AIDS Foundation, visit their web site at http://www.pcaf-wa.org/. From donating to attending an awareness event, there are multiple ways to get involved.