We are working the front lines of hunger... all across Washington State.

We are your coalition of emergency food providers, governed and directed by people in the trenches, representing all areas of the state. We are based in community to serve our communities. Gathering strength through peers, organizing to find common goals, bringing our shared values together to create a strong collective voice of the emergency food system.

 Back To Action - Volunteer Recruitment Campaign

In response to this decline in volunteerism, a unique partnership has formed with the goal of boosting the number of people volunteering at local food banks. Under the campaign “Back to Action,” Northwest Harvest, Safeway, Washington Food Coalition, Vault89 Strategies, the Seattle Seahawks, and KING 5 have banded together to support the vital work of food banks throughout the state of Washington by sponsoring a drive to bring volunteers back to help in this crucial effort.

The drive for more volunteers will kick off with a Back To Action Day of Service on September 23, 2023 and will run through December 31, 2023. The goal of the drive is to sign up 3,000 or more food bank volunteers for Hunger Resource Organizations across the state. Northwest Harvest will collect volunteer names and connect them with organizations in their network. If you are not a partner of Northwest Harvest, but need volunteers, please email jeanie, Director of Community Engagement, at [email protected]. She will add you to the list of local food banks who need volunteers.

During the September 23rd Day of Service kickoff, current and former members of the Seattle Seahawks will be volunteering at food banks throughout the state. The initiative will be launched with a high-profile Media Day, featuring prominent figures from the Super Bowl 48 champion Seattle Seahawks team. 

Fall 2023 Quarterly Member Newsletter

 Fall is here and it's time for the Fall Quarterly Newsletter! We hope you can join us at our annual conference in Yakima from September 27th to 29th. There's lots of exciting information in the newsletter and on our website about the event. This quarter we're really excited to share an article about the Tenino Community Service Center and Food Bank Plus, and their launch of the SWAP - Supporting Wellness at Pantries Program. They are teaming up with the WFC and the American Heart Association, and working with local grocery stores to encourage community members to eat and donate healthy, nutritious items. Our friends at WSDA wrote an article on policy changes happening within their programs and an opportunity to make comments on USDA Programs and policies. 

 To read this quarter's newsletter, please link here. 

   

 

 

Thank you to all our 2023 Conference sponsors!! 

 

 

 

   EFAP Subcontractors and Contractors Meetings Recordings 

Recording of the Subcontractors meeting, click here.  
Passcode: 9G*2eP&&

PowerPoint of presentation, click here. 

 EFAP Subcontractors meeting chat box dialog.pdf

Recording of the Contractors meeting, click here. 
Passcode: 4Ymb*..6

PowerPoint of presentation, Click here.  

 EFAP Contractors meeting chat box dialog.pdf

EFAP Open Q & A Hours Focus: EFAP Biennial Meetings & Application Process   
Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., March 21st - May 30th
  • Clarifying policies
  • Problem Solving
  • Overall Guidance 

To join these calls:

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 210 265 647 763
Passcode: Jeq99R
Or call in (audio only)
+1 564-999-2000,,950640900#   United States, Olympia
Phone Conference ID: 950 640 900#
The EFAP Procedures Manual is on our Forms & Pubs page under EFAP. It is being updated, so please check back in the next coming weeks for the updated version. 
https://agr.wa.gov/services/food-access/hunger-relief-agency-hub/fa-forms-and-pubs 

Renew Your WFC Membership Today! 

 To renew your membership for 2023 click here. It's quick and easy. Membership is based on a sliding schedule of your food program's budget starting as low as $25/yr. 

Your membership comes with many benefits including:  

                • Discounted fee to our annual conference and other trainings and events
                • A discounted copy of valuable resources manuals, and discounted pricing on additional copies – Food Safety, Special Dietary Needs, Food Banking 101, and Best Practices. 
                • Weekly, monthly e-newsletters and quarterly newsletters
                • Training opportunities for staff & volunteers plus technical assistance, answering your questions about programs and services, models and best practices, how to get started, and more.
                • On-line Food Bank Certification course for your staff/volunteers
                • Access to a discounted membership with WA Nonprofits, for even more fabulous trainings that are offered both online and in person, all across the state
                • Access to over 300 other WFC members – your colleagues in the fight against hunger!
                • You have a vote in the election of your District representatives.
                • Discounted agency insurance through Conover/Great American Insurance. 

  If your EFAP lead pays your membership dues, we will notify you when they pay on your behalf.

 WFC NEW Job Board 

WFC's Job Board!

Post your open positions, internships, contract positions, plus your part time and fulltime positions.  Post your resume and sign up for texts to notify you of new job openings. 

Link here to the job board: https://wfc.mcjobboard.net/jobs or check it on Quick Links. 

Help support the work of the Washington Food Coalition by making your tax deductible donation today. The WFC supports food programs across the State of Washington by providing technical assistance, and more recently, by providing information and resources on COVID-19. We are sending out a e-newsletter to all members and friends on current COVID resources from the Department of Health, WSDA, the USDA and the Center for Disease Control, plus many others. We have distributed supplies such as gloves, masks, hand sanitizer and signage, to assist programs across the state in serving their clients. We are sponsoring a variety of trainings to inform our members how to navigate during these unprecedented times. 

COVID RESOURCES 

 WSDA is hosting calls every month on Tuesdays from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, for Food Assistance program subcontractors and contractors to hear the latest news on programs and resources affecting programs during the COVID-19 virus. Calls are optional. 

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app

EFAP and TEFAP Contractors have their own calls monthly on Fridays. Contact WSDA to get information to join those calls. 

There is a lot going on in our state right now and I encourage you to stay informed of news regarding Covid-19, a strain of the Coronavirus, and how you can protect yourself and those you serve. 

COVID-19 - Resources We Created For You!  

PowerPoint on Distribution Models: 

The coalition created a new resource on food distribution methods and what it means to move into the next phases of the Governor's Stay Home, Stay Safe Plan. To view the PowerPoint click here. 

NEW RIVISED GUIDANCE SHEETS: (8/22)

The WFC REVISED simplified guidance sheets on four topics including Masks and Facial Covering, What to Do When a Staff Person or Volunteer has COVID Symptoms, and Distributing Food Indoors and Outdoors.

Each sheet boils down the important points you need to know and to follow. They are footnoted with sources and provide links to state policies from DOH, L & I and the Governor’s Proclamations.

The WFC revised guidance sheets include: 

Download and print as needed for staff and volunteers.