Hello Ken,

This month, we are highlighting the importance of our mobile food banks. Mobile food banks give us the flexibility to be responsive to changing needs while providing food in areas without access to nutritious food. 

Imagine a senior, not able to drive, hungry, and living in an area without public transportation. Or, put yourself in the shoes of a student at one of the local colleges or technical schools; after paying for tuition and room, you aren't left with enough money for food. When times are tough, people need as few barriers as possible to meet their most basic needs.

To help address this challenge, Nourish Pierce County created & operates two award-winning mobile food banks, currently serving 15 locations. Designed to function like a small market on wheels, they include refrigerators, freezers and display shelving that provide a wide selection of foods for guests to shop.

In 2023, our mobile food banks provided over 900,000 meals to 18,056 guests in locations where brick-and-mortar food banks are not feasible to operate.

Sincerely,

Sue Potter, CEO

NOURISH IS LOOKING FOR A CDL-A DRIVER WITH A HEART FOR OUR MISSION TO OPERATE OUR MOBILE FOOD BANKS

Nourish Pierce County has identified several more locations that would benefit from mobile food bank services but we need additional drivers to open those sites. In addition to new sites, each time one of our current drivers is out due to illness or vacation, Nourish is forced to close mobile food bank sites, meaning those who need us most may go hungry that day.

Nourish is looking for an individual who has a Class A commercial driver’s license and can drive a tractor-trailer vehicle, and who also has the passion, interest, and skill to manage the food bank. This includes everything from welcoming and checking in guests, ensuring quality control and food safety, to helping with their shopping experience.

If you know that person, or maybe are that person,

we’d love to have you apply!

Since 2008 Our Saviour Lutheran Church of Tacoma has been supporting Nourish Pierce County through their Elder Tithe grants and volunteer hours. This past Sunday, February 11, 2024, OSLC hosted Nourish Pierce County and many other community partners for their Joy of Generosity event, celebrating the incredible impact we have on the community.

Thank you OSLC for making a difference in the work Nourish Pierce County does across all of our 21 food bank locations!

In addition to our many donors, volunteers, and community partners. We would also like to give a huge shout out to our guests. This month, one guest in particular stood out. While directing traffic and getting guests checked in, our newest Food Bank Manager, Kilty, saw that one of our guests had a flat tire. While keeping the flow of traffic and check-in going, she decided to help change the tire. Communicating this with those in line, another guest jumped out of his car and changed the tire, helping a stranger in need get home.

Food Facts

February holds many exciting food days to celebrate. Most notable of these celebrations is National Canned Food Month. Nourish Pierce County goes through hundreds of pallets of canned food each year, ensuring thousands of people are able to feed everyone in their household 3 meals a day for 3 days.

February 13th was National Cheddar Cheese Day. Cheese is one of the most requested foods by our food bank guests.

February 16th is National No One Eats Alone day, followed by Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17th. Celebrate these days all month long by sharing meals and being kind to all those you encounter.

February 22 is National Chili Day. Chili is an easy meal to make with ingredients from our food banks, creating a filling and nutritious meal.

Provide a can a day for someone in need all year for only $266.45. Thats less than 0.75 cents a day! Can't give that all at once? Split it into a monthly donation of $22.20.