Fast Facts

Washington households with children experience food insecurity at higher rates, according to a recent survey that intentionally focused on households with lower incomes and food assistance recipients. Survey respondents showed that 68% of households with children experienced food insecurity in the previous month.

WAFOOD5 WA State Food Security Survey Aug.-Oct. 2024

"The Issaquah Food Bank has been an incredible support for my family, making a meaningful difference in our lives. As a single parent, the financial and emotional stress of providing for my family can be overwhelming. The programs offered ensure that we have access to fresh and nutritious food, easing the burden of grocery costs and allowing me to focus on other essential expenses.

Beyond food assistance, the holiday program was especially impactful this past season. Many local gift programs have an age cutoff of 12, which meant my 13-year-old son didn’t qualify elsewhere. The Issaquah Food Bank’s program made it possible for him to receive a holiday gift, ensuring he didn’t feel left out and allowing me to provide him with the joy every child deserves during the season, and reducing my stress. The kindness and generosity make a real difference, reminding us that we’re not alone in difficult times."



 -Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank Participant

Rising Cost of Groceries

A rise in the cost of basic groceries is continuing to increase food insecurity for families in Washington. A recent Washington State Food Security Survey found that 70% of food insecure respondents reported reducing their food quantity and quality due to high costs. To read more about the survey and the impact that food insecurity has on Washington residents, click here: The growing struggle to afford groceries in Washington State | Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health 

Issaquah School District’s participation in the Free and Reduced lunch program continues to grow year over year. In 2020, 9.16% of ISD students were participating. As of January 2025, 13.3% of students access this program for a total of 2,540 students. When students are home during school breaks, they aren’t receiving daily breakfasts and lunches from school, putting added strain on parents to provide nutritious meals. Our Lunch for the Break program is meant to help bridge that gap.  

To support these families during Spring break, in addition to our regular market shopping days every other week, our Spring Lunch for the Break provided an extra day of grocery shopping where families could pick up a large bag of produce with extra fruit, meat, dairy and other items like tortillas, pasta, and dry goods. Across all three Lunch for the Breaks this school year, 576 shopping trips were provided for families in our community.  

"Thank you to everyone involved in providing the service for us. Life is hard and this lightens a burden and minimizes stress which allows for a more healthy environment for my family. As well as provides us with important nutrients rich foods which we may otherwise avoid. Again, thank you all for your help and support."

 -Lunch for the Break Participant

Thank you for supporting our youngest recipients!



Champion Spotlight: Mike & Debbie Bresko

“Without a doubt, volunteering at the market and serving on the board has been the most rewarding community service experience I can imagine,” Mike Bresko shared. Mike joined the Board in early 2020 and has served as the Board Chair since January 2022.



Mike has supported the food bank through significant changes over the past five years. His leadership through the pandemic, operational improvements, the facility expansion project, and leadership transitions has been a constant pillar for the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank community.

... READ MORE

Look what you made possible in 2024!

Upcoming Opportunities and Events

There are always great events and opportunities to volunteer, donate, attend, or do all three! For more information on any of these, just reach out to Hannah.



Holiday Closures

• Juneteenth, Thurs. 6/19-Fri. 6/20

Mark your calendars now!

Illuminating Hope: Raising Funds to Feed Kids

• Campaign to support youth nutrition programs open now!
• Fireworks display celebration over South Lake Sammamish on Friday, July 4 at 10:00 p.m.
• Learn more!

Recipe for Hope 2025

• Our most important fundraising event of the year!
• Tuesday, October 14, 2025
• Breakfast at 7:30 a.m or Lunch at 11:30 a.m.
• The Golf Club at Newcastle
• Registration opens in August

Issaquah Turkey Trot 2025

• Our annual fun run/walk through downtown Issaquah
• Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27,2025 at 9:00 a.m.
• Registration opens in August

Illuminating Hope - Raising Funds to Feed Kids

It's that time of year again, where we get to focus on our youngest recipients and rally support to ensure they get what they need.

With 2,540 students in the Issaquah School District relying on free and reduced-price school lunches, programs like our Summer Lunch, Lunch for the Break, and Power Packs are essential to ensure they have access to nutritious food even when school is out of session.

Our Illuminating Hope campaign, in partnership with The KLD Real Estate Group has raised over $466,000 to support childhood food security since 2015 and this year, our goal is to raise $110,000 to support our youth nutrition programs. Thanks to a generous donation from The KLD Real Estate Group, the first $20,000 in donations of $150-$5,000 will be DOUBLED!

Please join this effort by giving, sharing the news with friends, then celebrating with us by enjoying the fireworks display over South Lake Sammamish on Friday, July 4, 2025 at 10:00 p.m. Visit our website to learn more!

"Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank has been a blessing for my family, especially for my kids. Being able to quickly pick up kid friendly foods for all of the long school breaks has been a huge relief for my family. I'm able to concentrate and figure out other important needs knowing my children are fed and have healthy choices when school is not in session. Thank you for contributing to that need being taken care of."

-Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank Youth Program Participant



Thank you for supporting our youngest recipients through ILLUMINATING HOPE!



• Looking for work you can do from home and/or outside of normal business hours? We need help with a mailing project, and the work can be done at a time that works for you as long as it's completed by Monday 6/9 at 4pm. You can pick up all of the mailing materials at the food bank in Issaquah on Friday 6/6 from 1pm-4pm. If you are not available to pick up during this time, please contact Hannah to arrange an alternate pick-up. Click the button below to sign up!

• Help pass out food request lists at the PCC Community Market food drive in Issaquah on Sunday, June 8th from 2-4pm. This opportunity is open for two volunteers, and children are welcome to participate with their parent or legal guardian. Contact Kim if you are interested!