Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank, Sno-Valley Senior Center awarded big grants

Two Snoqualmie Valley nonprofits were included with 126 other organizations picked to receive emergency funding grants from the recently establish COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

The first round of funding “focuses on our region’s most vulnerable populations—those who have been affected first and hardest by the coronavirus crisis.”

The COVID-19 Response Fund, which is housed at the Seattle Foundation, distributed the Emergency Assistance Grants to frontline organizations who are delivering emergency assistance, such as rent support, food security, healthcare and childcare to vulnerable community members.

Just over $10 million was awarded to these 128 organizations, with the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank in North Bend receiving $50,000 and the Sno-Valley Senior Center in Carnation getting $25,000.

Lisa Yeager of the Sno-Valley Senior Center said, “I’m in awe of the generosity of this community and the Seattle Foundation. Our low income Snoqualmie Valley senior citizens have been hard hit by this virus. Many of our seniors are very afraid and uncertain. These crucial funds mean that our local older adults will continue get hot made from scratch meals for pick up or home delivery.  We will also be able to continue reassurance calls and provide good information and assistance plus provide some virtual on-line activities, support groups, and brain fitness. We can help those homebound with grocery and medication delivery as well. It will make a huge difference to each of these individuals.”

Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank Executive Director Nikki Lloyd commented, “It is an incredible amount of money that we didn’t plan on having in the budget for the year. We plan to use the funds to continue operations. We’re experiencing a lower amount of donations of critical foods like meat, dairy, and produce. We already purchase these things when we need to, but we know that now, more than ever, we will likely need to be making more purchases of these items. We remain committed to serving this beautiful community and our neighbors in need. We will steward the funds to remain committed to our mission, vision, and values. We *will* get through this, but only together, as a community.”

According to a news release, “In close collaboration with the Pandemic Community Advisory Group, Seattle Foundation, United Way of King County, and our Fund partners, we tapped into our deep community knowledge to elevate nonprofits that aligned closely with our focus on emergency assistance within disproportionately impacted communities. In order to move resources quickly and not burden an already overwhelmed system, we did not host a formal application process for these grants. We collectively considered the track record of each organization, especially groups who effectively serve the unique needs of people who struggle to access traditional services. The Pandemic Community Advisory Group, composed of more than 40 local leaders and experts vetted and validated the selection process at each step along the way.”

The Seattle Foundation said later rounds of grant making from the Fund will adapt to the evolving community needs as the situation continues to unfold.