Community Corner
Mercer Island Food Pantry Running Low On Donations
Over the past five years the number of the food bank's clients has doubled.
Donations of non-perishable food are not covering the current needs of clients at the Mercer Island Food Pantry food bank, says Cheryl Manriquez, Family Assistance and Employment Coordinator for the City of Mercer Island Department of Youth and Family Services. The food bank, located in the Luther Burbank Administrative Building in Luther Burbank Park, has had to use emergency funds to purchase food to stock the shelves so that the approximately 125 Mercer Island client families who rely on the Food Pantry monthly will have food.
Manriquez says, “many island residents are surprised that there are families experiencing food scarcity living on Mercer Island.” She says in fact that the number of the food bank's clients, all of whom have documented Mercer Island residency, has doubled in the past five years and approximately half of the client families have children under the age of 18 living at home.
The food bank’s website has a list the donation items that are most needed, which include cereal, soups, tuna, peanut butter and jelly, pasta and sauces, school lunch snacks and canned fruit. Avoid donating expired food, says Manriquez and donations of cash by check are always welcome. Donations can be sent to Mercer Island Youth and Family Services, 2040 84h Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040, to the attention of Cheryl Manriquez. Note on the check that the donation is for the food bank. Donations of both cash and food are tax deductible and if you make a donation at the food bank in person, Manriquez says you will be offered a receipt for your tax records. Donations may also be made at Banner Bank on 78th Ave SE, the Community Center at Mercer View at 8236 SE 24th, Albertsons Grocery Store at 2755 77th Ave. SE and the Mercer Island Thrift Shop at 7710 SE 34th Street.
In addition to food and cash donations, Martinez says the Mercer Island Food Pantry relies on volunteers to sort food, conduct food drives and transport donated food. Potential volunteers should contact Evonne Nobel at Mercer Island Youth and Family Service at 206-275-7811 or Evonne.Noble@mercergov.org.
Martinez says, “The Mercer Island Food Pantry is supported entirely by donations from the community.” She says that donations feed Mercer Island families and “help local children get a good breakfast so that their body and brains are sent to school nourished and ready to learn!”