Northwest Harvest launches Community Storyteller Network, a paid opportunity for Washingtonians with lived experience of hunger

Pilot program will support community members in sharing perspectives, building advocacy skills, and helping shape public understanding of food insecurity.

SEATTLE — Northwest Harvest has launched the Community Storyteller Network (CSN), a new pilot program that will bring together and compensate community members from across Washington with firsthand experience navigating food insecurity and public benefits systems.

The Community Storyteller Network is designed to recognize the expertise that comes from lived experience and create opportunities for participants to share their perspectives on hunger, public policy, and the everyday realities facing communities across the state.

Throughout their four- or six-month terms, participants will create short videos, engage in monthly virtual gatherings, and build storytelling and advocacy skills while connecting with others who have similar experiences. Participants will receive a $500 monthly gift card in recognition of the time, expertise, and contributions they bring to the program.

Northwest Harvest will share participants’ stories and insights through its digital channels to help deepen public understanding of hunger, challenge stigma surrounding food assistance and public benefits, and encourage collective action to address the root causes of food insecurity.

“People closest to the challenges of hunger bring essential knowledge, insight, and leadership to conversations about food justice,” said Keller Rivera, community storytelling strategist at Northwest Harvest. “Too often, those perspectives are left out of public conversations and policy discussions. The Community Storyteller Network is about creating space for community members to share their experiences on their own terms, while recognizing the expertise they bring.”

The pilot cohort will include participants from diverse communities and regions across Washington. The organization is seeking individuals who have personal experience with food insecurity and who are interested in sharing their perspectives to help inform public understanding and advance community-centered solutions.

The program reflects a growing movement within the nonprofit sector to shift away from extractive storytelling practices and toward approaches that prioritize participant agency, informed consent, compensation, and shared ownership of narratives.

“Stories have the power to help people see beyond stereotypes and better understand the systems and policies that shape our lives,” said Natasha Dworkin, director of communications at Northwest Harvest. “We believe the people most impacted by hunger should have meaningful opportunities to shape the narrative about it. This program is about honoring community expertise and creating pathways for that expertise to influence conversations about solutions.”

Participants in the Community Storyteller Network will: 

• Commit to four- or six-month storytelling terms.
• Create and submit short videos each month.
• Participate in monthly virtual gatherings focused on connection, community-building, and story development.
• Receive a $500 monthly gift card in recognition of their contributions.

Northwest Harvest encourages community organizations, food banks, service providers, and community leaders to share the opportunity with individuals who may be interested in participating.

The organization is currently accepting applications. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. PDT. Beyond that date, applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

More information about the Community Storyteller Network, including eligibility requirements and application materials, is available at: https://www.northwestharvest.org/our-work/community-programs/community-storyteller-network/ 

About Northwest Harvest 

Northwest Harvest is Washington’s statewide food bank distributor and hunger solutions advocacy organization. Through a network of 350+ food banks, food pantries, meal programs, and community partners, Northwest Harvest works to provide equitable access to nutritious food while advancing systemic solutions to address the root causes of hunger. For additional media resources, visit our Media Hub.

Media Contact: Natasha Dworkin, natashad@northwestharvest.org, 206-715-1696