We recently got the chance to visit one of our partner programs, Puyallup Food Bank, on its 50th Anniversary! In the food bank’s half-century of service, they have transformed dramatically to better serve their community. In contrast to its humble beginnings, Puyallup Food Bank now occupies a 17,000 square foot warehouse and serves over 55 ministry partner programs, along with the customers they serve directly from their distribution center.
The staff at Puyallup Food Bank are proud of the volunteer groups that serve through community partnerships, such as the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Community Based Transition Program, the Puyallup School District Gateway Transition Program, and many more local businesses and community groups in the area. Out of the 250-500 volunteers they see annually, over 150 of them come on a regular basis to serve their community. One volunteer shared that she chooses to volunteer at the Puyallup Food Bank because of the wonderful staff and the direct impact for her neighbors, commenting that “I know what I’m doing helps others in our community.”
Communication is key at Puyallup Food Bank. Inside their warehouse, signs are everywhere – each category of item is labeled, from staple foods to fresh produce, hygiene and baby items, and even food designated for local pig farmers to collect! When asked about these communication tools, Shawn Manley, CEO of Puyallup Food Bank, stated, “Ambiguity kills trust. Words matter.” This is evident in the relationships volunteers and staff have with customers. It is important to the PFB community that customers have access to strong relational networks to support all facets of their lives, such as housing, employment, and other key resources. David, the Chief Operating Officer, says, “When Shawn came, he brought the vision of food only being the first step. Food isn’t the only thing there is to help folks transition.” This mindset helps the staff and volunteers build stronger relationships with the customers they interact with daily.
If you would like to become one of Puyallup Food Bank’s dedicated volunteers, please go to https://pfb.org/volunteer or contact info@pfb.org or (253) 848-5240. We are so proud to partner with Puyallup Food Bank to provide food and resources to our neighbors in need in Pierce County, so that no person goes hungry!