We hope this message finds you safe and healthy, enjoying the beautiful summer season. As we approach the end of the second quarter, we want to reflect on the incredible work we have accomplished so far in 2023. From moving ~2,976,460 pounds of fresh food in under six months to collaborating with community partners to extend our offerings, thanks to your unwavering support, we are proud of all we have achieved. In this quarterly newsletter, we will welcome a new member to our board of directors, honor some impactful gifts from the quarter and invite you to participate in our annual watermelon campaign. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this edition of By the Pound!
What's New in Q2
Meet Kim Van Cleave-Michaels, EWFR's Newest Board Member
It is with great pleasure that we introduce our newest member to the EWFR board of directors! We are thrilled to have Kim Van Cleave-Michaels join our team and bring her expertise and unique perspective to our organization. With her passion for DEI and advocacy and more than 10+ years of non-profit experience, we are confident that Kim will make many valuable contributions to our mission of supporting farmers while caringly feeding our neighbors in need.
Please join us in offering Kim a warm EWFR welcome!
We Are Expanding Our Leadership
Do you or someone you know have a passion for supporting local agriculture or ending hunger? Do you have unique skills or lived experience? You may have all of the above. The EWFR Board of Directors is looking for community leaders interested in joining the board or advisory council to help advance our mission. If this is of interest to you, contact Monika Whitfield for more information on how you can get involved.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Partners in the Community The South Seattle Community Food Hub
EastWest Food Rescue is excited to announce that we have officially pledged our support to the South Seattle Community Food Hub, led by King County and Food Lifeline. EWFR's Farm Relations Manager, Diane Dempster, serves on the planning committee, representing one of the many organizations coming together in support of the community in South Seattle.
We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting new initiative and join forces with such impactful players in the hunger relief space. Some South Seattle Community Food Hub members include The Silent Task Force, Harvest Against Hunger and Solid Ground. Through partnerships like these, we realize the power of our collective work can make a real difference in the fight against hunger and ensure that everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food.
Join us for another year of giving the gift of summertime traditions - Watermelon for all!
Summertime is here and many of us look forward to the traditions that only this season can bring—picnics, spending time with loved ones, enjoying the warmth of the sun and delicious seasonal foods. Unfortunately, that is not the case for everyone in our community. Some of our most vulnerable neighbors are struggling now, but it doesn't have to be this way.
With your help, EastWest Food Rescue provided more than 347,500 pounds of watermelon last summer. This generous gift brought a smile to approximately 200,000 individuals experiencing food insecurity. Your gift of fresh produce does more than nourish the body; it is restorative of dignity, enabling summertime traditions to be enjoyed by all.
By donating today and helping us reach our goal of $10,000, you can help us secure 400,000 pounds of watermelon for communities across Washington State. Your generosity will go a long way in providing an opportunity to forget the challenges of today and simply enjoy a summertime tradition.
Please make a summertime gift today. Thank you for your heartfelt consideration.
Gratitude Abounds
We want to express our sincerest gratitude to David Sampson and the team at Ardent Mills for making a substantial in-kind donation of 21,000 loaves of freshly baked bread to support our efforts. This donation has gone a long way in helping us fulfill our mission of providing fresh foods to those who need them the most. Thank you, David and Team Ardent Mills, for your kindness and generosity.
Thank you Jerome Sirmans and the team at Windemere Professional Partners for your incredible financial support enabling us to provide more than 6,000 pounds of food to help in the fight against hunger. Your efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of those who are struggling to put food on the table. We are grateful for your generosity and dedication to this vital work.
Half Baked Harvest Presents: Strawberry Watermelon Salad with Burrata
Speaking of watermelon, who can resist a beautiful summer salad? All the right seasonal flavors complemented with balsamic fig vinaigrette and the creamy deliciousness of burrata. Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest does not disappoint. Check out the recipe and let us know what you think.
Remember to follow us on Instagram @eastwestfoodrescue and tag us in your culinary masterpieces!