Shoreline food bank is running out of food - and needs your help

Budget cuts, the end of the summer gardening season and a drop in donations are not good news for the 400 local families who rely on Hopelink’s Shoreline food bank every month.

Center Manager Leslie Brooks said supply is down while demand continues to rise.

“In September, we were able to distribute only about 20,000 pounds of food to those in need of help – down from a monthly average of 25,000-30,000 pounds,” Brooks said. “A lot more people are struggling to get by, and it is always difficult to tell a family there simply isn’t enough food. But unfortunately, that’s the reality right now.”

Over the summer, community organizations, church groups and local gardeners generously shared their fruits and vegetables with the food bank, Brooks said. But during the fall and winter months, replacing that supply is difficult.

“We don’t have the budget to buy produce,” she said, “especially when we need to purchase so many of the basic food supplies our families need to get by.”

Brooks said community food drives are one of the best ways to help stock the shelves, and that even small groups can make a big difference. 

The greatest need continues to be “shelf-stable” items:

• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Peanut butter
• Tuna
• Rice
• Pasta
• Canned beans and prepared meals
• Cereal and oatmeal

The Shoreline Center is one of five Hopelink food banks in the north and east King county area, and the only one serving the west side.

To donate or host a food drive, stop by the Hopelink Shoreline Center at 15809 Westminster Way N. on Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5 pm, or call center manager Leslie Brooks at 206-440-7300.