-Sumner Community Food Bank- Recently, EFN has taken on the challenge of increasing our capacity to match the growing demand for food in Pierce County, and we aren’t alone in these efforts.  Sumner Community Food Bank (SCFB) has been experiencing their own increase in demand and responding in kind. SCFB began in the mid-1980s as a garage-based effort, and has since expanded after being gifted their current location by the Sumner Rotary. With a staff of 7 and a volunteer base of 65-70 people, SCFB has been constantly adapting to the expanding needs of their community.SCFB serves over 75…

With our partners, EFN strives to serve every person in need of food assistance, no matter their circumstances. Parkway Community Services shares that commitment. In the words of Executive Director Randy McElliott, “If you’re hungry, you’re hungry.” And that means Parkway is there to help.With a modest building just off 112th St in Parkland, Parkway Community Services gets a lot done without the equipment of larger operations. When the EFN truck arrives each Tuesday, volunteers unload all the food by hand and store it in the main building, where you will find 15-20 freezers. Volunteers also use the main…

We recently got the chance to visit one of our partner programs, Puyallup Food Bank, on its 50th Anniversary! In the food bank’s half-century of service, they have transformed dramatically to better serve their community. In contrast to its humble beginnings, Puyallup Food Bank now occupies a 17,000 square foot warehouse and serves over 55 ministry partner programs, along with the customers they serve directly from their distribution center.  The staff at Puyallup Food Bank are proud of the volunteer groups that serve through community partnerships, such as the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Community Based Transition Program, the Puyallup…

Partner Program Highlight: Buckley Kiwanis Food Bank Buckley Kiwanis Food Bank has grown a lot from its humble beginnings in the closet of a senior center in 1978. 44 years later, the food bank serves over 4,000 people annually from a new location at Buckley Hall, where they utilize vastly increased storage space. What hasn’t changed is their mission to serve the Buckley community and beyond. Buckley Kiwanis is proud to say people are never turned away from the food bank, a fact that has stayed true because the staff and volunteers have never ceased their efforts to serve the community, even…

Fife/Milton/Edgewood Food Bank opened its doors to the northwest Pierce County community over 40 years ago. Food Bank Manager Fred Mitchell remembers back when the pantry only served about 50 families a month and gave 30-40 holiday baskets each year. Now their 45 regular volunteers work three days a week to serve more than 500 guests each month. The food pantry established a partnership with Emergency Food Network in 1988. They receive most of their food from Emergency Food Network and Food Lifeline. Frequent food drives at the St. Martin of Tours Parish and Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy also…