Vashon Food Bank pitches $7 million capital campaign to board, cites rising demand

Emily Scott, director of the Vashon Food Bank, briefed the board on May 23 about sharply increased demand and a capital campaign to build a new food‑bank facility on the United Methodist Church property.

Scott said the food bank now serves "over 300 households per week," about 25% more than this time last year, and has increased its food‑purchasing budget from about $35,000 five years ago to more than $130,000 this year to meet demand. She described current warehouse limitations (aged military surplus buildings, lack of climate control, inability to use pallet jacks) and said those constraints increase staff and volunteer labor and limit safe, dignified service.

The proposed project would construct a new, accessible food bank with indoor walk‑in coolers, two bay doors to allow mechanized unloading and an expanded customer area intended to reduce stigma and improve efficiency. Scott said the campaign goal is $7 million to cover hard costs, soft costs and internal campaign expenses; she reported the campaign is about 45% funded ("over $3 million") and that the food bank was awarded roughly $800,000 in federal capital funds (HUD).

Scott emphasized that the food bank plans to keep and expand community partnerships (including weekly deliveries to Family Link/Student Link programs) and to maintain existing community activities in the education building once the food bank relocates there. She said staff expansion and stronger administrative capacity are required to manage both increased food purchasing and the capital project.

Board members asked operational questions (e.g., school snack distribution and staff access), and Scott suggested district staff (Jen at the high school) could help coordinate in‑school snack distribution. No formal board vote was taken; Scott offered to give the board further updates in the future and to provide tours of the current facility.