Client Stories

From food banks and clients all over Washington, as told to Northwest Harvest

“I was married for almost 15 years and thanks to community resources like the food bank I was able to escape a marriage littered with domestic violence and chronic infidelity. While I’m working through school in an effort to get my degree, the food bank has been instrumental in helping make sure that there is healthy food on the table for my children. No one wants to be in a situation when they are so needy they need to ask for food, but when that time came for me, the food bank was there. I am grateful for all the time and energy that you volunteers put in to provide this resource to the community. So it’s with much love and respect that I say, ‘Thank you.’” 

“We moved to the area to find work. My husband, a laid-off carpenter, had only worked three out of 21 months when we lived in western Washington. Shortly after moving to the Tri-Cities for work, he was laid off. Having just used every dime we had to move here, we didn’t have money to pay our rent and buy food. The first time we came to the food bank we felt so embarrassed and guilty for having to ask for help. The staff at the Kennewick Food Bank made us feel like it was okay to be here. One staff member told me, ‘Come back as often as you need.’ Those words stuck with me and we kept coming back, even after he went back to work. We still had so many bills to catch up on and didn’t want to choose between keeping the utilities on and buying food. I’m glad we kept coming because another layoff came 10 weeks later. Thanks to the food bank we’ve been able to eat and pay our bills, rent, and utilities and still buy necessities for our two young children. I don’t feel embarrassed anymore, just thankful.”

“I want to thank the food bank. Without them my wife and I would not be eating the nutrition we are receiving,g as we are living only on social security. Again, I would thank all of the wonderful volunteers who work at the voluntary distribution centers. P.S. It could only happen in America.”

“We are seeing an increasing number of elderly, migrant workers and working poor. More people over 50 are being laid off or let go from their employment due to ‘lack of position’ or ‘upgrading of office.’ We are especially seeing this in women who have worked for the same employer for over 10 years; they are seeking employment but are being told that they are ‘overqualified’ for the position.”

“We have many homeless clients that we try to give food that doesn’t need cooking. Because of the increase in donations, they have been thrilled with the pop-up lids that come off without a can opener and have a better variety of foods they can eat.”

“A man and his son came in last week and said it would probably be the last time for him and his family of four. He had lost his job 2 years ago and hadn’t been able to find anything, but they started coming to the food bank and were hanging on. Recently his wife also lost her job so they are going to stay in their car and don’t know where they will wind up because you can’t just park anywhere and stay. He came for something for lunch because he doesn’t have cooking facilities. He just wanted to feed his kids lunch right now and then figure out what comes next. I suggested a few resources and he had already checked most of them out, i.e. housing in Federal Way, job search, etc. That’s why he didn’t know where they would go next. It just made me feel sick to not be able to help him. This isn’t the long term unemployed (or what that used to mean), this is a fine man and his wife who are unable to find work and housing to take care of their children. This sucks.”

—Multi-Service Center Food Bank, King County

“The need is particularly hard on seniors that have few, if any, opportunities to change their situation.”

“We are getting more and more first-time clients that seemingly are embarrassed by signing up for food assistance. We also had a family that their house burned down and we are able to supply not only food but clothes and household items along with toys for their five year old boy.”

—Hamilton Community Food Bank

“This is an email that was sent to us 1/18/11: My fiancé and I used your food bank today. We never like being handed things; we are too proud to take charity. But we are hurting right now for money. My freezer, my fridge, and my pantry all have food in them right now thanks to the United Methodist Church and all the many volunteers that help make it happen. Thank you, THANK YOU! You people are wonderful and have huge hearts. When I am able to work and I have my life back in order, I will be first in line to volunteer and give back. I can’t say thank you enough. Today took a lot of stress off my shoulders knowing that we’re going to be able to eat this week.”