Spring 2026 Edition

On Saturday May 2nd, Teen Feed Board, volunteers, donors, interns, staff, and partners came together for the

youth-led Street to Trust Café Brunch. Youth trained for weeks to help prepare food and to support this

important event. Over 100 people, including State Senator Valdez, showed up on Saturday to the

University Congregational United Church of Christ to support Teen Feed’s mission. Teen Feed recognized

the many volunteers and donors that make our work possible, and presented the church with a gift for

giving Teen Feed a commercial kitchen and dining space every day of the year. Attendees enjoyed chicken & waffles and fruit while admiring the art and muffins prepared by youth at Teen Feed’s In-Reach program.

Brunch photo credit: Hannah Corbin, Savor Social Studio

Special, sincere thanks to our friends at Beeks Foundation who matched all pledges made at the Brunch.

Our Donation Needs Right Now:

We are asking for donations of Visa gift cards - $5, $10, $25, and $50 amounts, and $50 Safeway gift cards. These gift cards will be used to support (1) gig work compensation for our guests at dinner, (2) support our In-Reach program, where we offer skill-building opportunities for our youth, like resume-writing, interview practice, book club, and more, and (3) help our guests purchase basic needs items, such as shoes and groceries.



**Visit our: Amazon Wishlist for a list of current basic needs items**

Meet Our Meal Teams

Victory Heights

"The Victory Heights Team is composed of neighbors from the Victory Heights and Pinehurst neighborhoods who share a common purpose. Since September 2020, approximately 24 volunteers come together each month to prepare a delicious meal for Teen Feed."

Victory Heights is known for their rotating quarterly menus that are always well received by youth. From Sloppy Joes and Chocolate Cake to Sweet & Sour Chicken and Peach Crisp, this team always provides a delicious, varied, and comforting dinner.

"What keeps volunteers coming back, month after month, is the community we've found in one another. Friendships have grown out of a shared commitment to showing up for others, and that sense of purpose is woven into everything the Victory Heights Team brings to the table." - Team Lead Valerie F.

Greater Seattle Fil-Am Youth

 "What inspired us [to start a Meal Team] is that our church and culture emphasize community and service. We come from a background of enjoying meals together, so much so that they say there's no meeting without eating. Our group decided to find ways to serve our community by providing sustenance, making hearty and healthy meals for those in need. We believe that sharing a good meal with those in need is one of life's simple joys."

- Team Lead Matthew

Since 2023, Greater Seattle Fil-Am Youth have consistently served incredible chicken + tofu teriyaki dinners to Teen Feed youth with guest feedback always including "yummy" and "delicious" :)

"As a group, we think that seeing everything coming together and watching the people we serve enjoy the food we made is the best part of this!"

- Team Lead Matthew

Fab Rangoon

Meal Team Lead Zella starting volunteering at Teen Feed back in 2020 as Kitchen Support. In 2023, she started volunteering with the incredible Hidden Veggies team. Zella was inspired by Hidden Veggies' vegetable-forward menus and enjoyed the Meal Team experience -- so much that she started her own team, Fab Rangoon, in 2025!

"I love to cook, and I especially love to get to cook for other people, so I really love having this opportunity to cook food I love to eat and share it with TF guests! My goal with Fab Rangoon has been to focus on serving Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American food that Teen Feed guests might not get to eat as often. We've served versions of bibimbap, kofte, souvlaki, and bun cha - all things that I love to eat myself, and which provide great opportunities to include a lot of fresh produce as well!" - Team Lead Zella

Fab Rangoon's meals are always packed with flavor and nutrients. Their February menu featured teriyaki (chicken and tofu), two types of salad, and cupcakes. Teen Feed youth reported the meal was "Great!! Fun salad options and healthy" and our Advocate volunteers enthusiastically shared "[The meal was] so great! They crushed it. Very good vibes from them."

"A lot of my meal team has desk jobs / works in the technology industry, and I think that volunteer work like cooking & serving food at TF is a really valuable way to feel more connected to my community, and to give back. I am also proud to have gotten a number of the folks on my meal team involved, because I think it's one of the best ways to have a tangible positive impact." - Team Lead Zella

Volunteer Spotlights

Kitchen Volunteers

Hi, my name is Zoë Adaora (she/her), and I have been volunteering with Teen Feed since 2024.

I’ve lived in Seattle for most of my life and love being part of a community that shows up for one another in meaningful ways. With Teen Feed, I’ve been involved with CupcakeUP because I love baking and sharing my treats with others. For me, baking is a simple way to bring people together and brighten someone’s day.

Outside of Teen Feed, I enjoy being outside, playing board games, and cooking! I also love to try new things. Currently, I'm trying to learn how to crochet!

I'm Hendrix (he/him). I was born in Seattle and have lived here all my life. I started as a Kitchen Support Volunteer about four years ago, beginning in sixth grade when my school, Northwest Montessori, required each student to complete an independent community engagement project. Now a ninth grader at The Downtown School, I continue volunteering because I genuinely enjoy being of service and helping others. My parents have been a big part of that journey—both directly and behind the scenes—and have raised me with the belief that we’re stronger as a community when we support one another. Outside of volunteering, I stay active with ski racing, which I’ve been doing for the past seven years. I have also played the cello for the past 11 years.

My name is Jesse. Originally from Westerly, RI, I’ve been living in the Pacific Northwest, between Oregon and Washington, for over 25 years.

For the past 11 months, I’ve served as a Kitchen Lead, and food insecurity is a cause I’m deeply passionate about. The opportunity to help organize, prepare, cook, and serve meals to those in need has been more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.

Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, learning piano, and spending quality time with my wife Julia and our cat Marceline.

Guest-Facing Volunteers

Hi! I go by Tony (he/him), I grew up in Guangzhou, China. I’ve also spent a lot of time in SoCal and Seattle, Washington. I’ve been volunteering with Teen Feed as an Outreach Lead and Advocate for about two years now, and I absolutely love building new connections and supporting youth in the community. It means a lot to me to play a small part in creating impact and to show up for people consistently. Outside of volunteering, I’m also a tattoo artist, I love anything motorcycles, and I’m always up for a spontaneous adventure!

My name is Phyllip (he/him) and I have been volunteering with Teen Feed as an Advocate and kitchen volunteer for two years. I grew up on the Kitsap Peninsula and after attending college up at Western moved to Seattle where I have lived ever since. I really enjoy volunteering with Teen Feed as it lets me work with a compassionate community of volunteers and staff while doing something tangible to meet real needs in Seattle. In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading and board games.

My name is Brigitte (she/her) and I’m from Olympia. I’ve been an In-Reach volunteer for approximately 4 years.

I enjoy being able to connect with different people each week and it’s been fulfilling seeing how each person has grown over the years.

Outside of volunteering, I play volleyball, soccer and I like to knit sweaters!

Hi! My name is Joshua (he/him) and I am a Dinner Engagement Coordinator. I’ve been with Teen Feed for almost 3 years and started as a volunteer before eventually transitioning to staff. I enjoy working directly with people on a personal level and getting to know them, and building connections over dinner is a fantastic way to do that. When I’m not at Teen Feed I spend my time plotting my magnum opus, a novel about music and philosophy.

Hi!! My name is Margot (she/her), I’m a Dinner Engagement Coordinator, and I’ve been with Teen Feed since November 2025. Having worked at the U-District Food Bank and other hunger relief programs, I wanted to continue this work and specifically support young people experiencing housing insecurity in my community. I’ve been able to forge meaningful relationships with the lovely guests, staff, and volunteers that make Teen Feed such a special place. Outside of work, I enjoy thrifting and eating yummy vegan food :)

THANK YOU!!!

Because of YOUR support, in 2025 Teen Feed: distributed 31,545 meals, co-sourced an additional 9,100 meals, and made 12,315 outreach contacts on the street.

In 2025, you donated 10,851 volunteers hours: a total value of $575,103.



This is no small feat. Teen Feed is only still here, doing our work, because of YOU! Thank you for every minute and every penny you've given to Teen Feed's youth.

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