Imagine a food bank that moves nearly $20 million in retail value worth of food annually—without spending a single dime on food purchases. This isn't a magic trick or a miracle. It's the lived reality of our work at the Puyallup Food Bank, where we've discovered that relationships are the most powerful currency in addressing food insecurity.

The Puyallup Food Bank was nominated for an award through the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce. One of our staff members asked me immediately after the announcements, “Why would a food bank be nominated in the category of ‘Exceptional Business Advocate’?”

In celebration of our 50 years of service to the city of Puyallup and Pierce County, take some time to read our story below as well as learn about some of the events we are working on surrounding our anniversary.

I want to give you an inside peek at the Puyallup Food Bank. You may have heard about the massive transitions we’ve been undergoing. So, if you’ve been wondering “what’s happening over there?” maybe this will give you an idea of the challenging and yet amazing changes that have been happening at the Puyallup Food Bank in the last year.

As a valued partner of the Puyallup Food Bank, you are invited to our Open House in December! There will be light appetizers and beverages, a tour of our facility, and a chance to get to know our staff.

Dear Friends, Thank you all for supporting our April events. Volkswagen of Puyallup generously matched our raffle donations, and Les Schwab kindly sponsored the Puyallup Food Bank at the Spring Fair and held a 3-week food drive at all of their Pierce County locations.

We have an exciting month coming up this April, and I would love to share with you a few important events.

I want to express our appreciation to our staff and volunteers who have continually worked to serve our community, despite the many transitions. Thank you! In February alone, our volunteers worked 1,500 hours combined and helped us serve more clients than ever.

The Puyallup Food Bank announced on Tuesday, March 2nd, the early departure of CEO Dean Johnson. “The food bank wishes Dean well and we appreciate his service to the food bank,” shared Board Chair Anna Madden.

As of January 2021 the Puyallup Food Bank continues to receive enormous generosity from our community. This outpouring of love is greatly appreciated as we have seen increased need for food skyrocket due to the COVID19 pandemic. Unfortunately, I believe the increased need we are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg, hence, we need to prepare for what could come.

Last year was certainly an unprecedented time in our nation and in our community. It truly was a time of rapid change like I have not experienced before and I am proud that The Puyallup Food Bank and our volunteers were able to help us serve the largest number of clients we have ever served in our 49 years of operation!

PUYALLUP – The Puyallup Food Bank is excited to announce the appointment of Dean Johnson as our new Puyallup Food Bank Chief Executive Officer. The food bank has a longstanding history of serving our neighbors in need.

This month when you visit any of the Safeway/Albertsons locations (featured below), you’ll see signs about the Nourishing Neighbors fundraiser and get the chance to donate at checkout.

In the midst of these difficult times, as I reflect on the spirit of our community, I continue to be inspired by stories of compassion and resilience that shine through our neighborhoods.

Generous. Resilient. Compassionate. When we think of our Puyallup community, these three words immediately come to mind. We are not only unified as people who live in the same geographical region, but also as neighbors who care for one another.

We hope you and your loved ones are in good health and spirits. As we reflect on our Puyallup community as a whole, our hearts go out to all of those affected by the coronavirus. We remain optimistic that our city, “the land of the generous people”, will stand side-by-side with one another in this season.