October 5th, 2012 
“What’s for dinner?” I’ll admit I usually don’t know the answer for our household until about an hour or so before the food actually makes it to the table. That question, however, takes on a completely different context for the one-in-four children in our community who are at risk for hunger and don’t have access to a nutritious meal.
(Photo Credit: foodlifeline.org)
To help Food Lifeline’s mission of ending hunger in Western Washington, over 350 people attended the sold-out Dress Down Hunger event on Saturday, September 29. Unlike many benefit events, guests were suggested to “dress warm and dress down” and were surrounded by food pallets at Food Lifeline’s Seattle Distribution Center.
Guests “raised the pallet” and donated over $115,000 to Food Lifeline to help put food into nearly 300 food banks, meals programs and shelters throughout Western Washington. The funds raised at Dress Down Hunger will enable Food Lifeline to provide over 345,000 meals to the hungry in our communities.
Tasty bites were provided by Seattle’s top food trucks, Marination Nation, BUNS Northwest and Street Treats, and libations from Kendall Jackson Wine Estates, Sozo Wine, Maritime Pacific Brewing Company and Hale’s Ales. The night ended with the awards celebration and live music and dancing to the tunes of Soul Purpose.
(Photo Credit: Mark Billings)
Food Lifeline’s Ending Hunger Awards celebrate and honor companies, individuals and groups who help make an impact in our community. This year’s honorees were:
- Outstanding Food Donor: Skagit Valley’s Best Produce
- Outstanding Corporate Donor: Panera Bread
- Outstanding Volunteer Award: Barb Brasfield
- Raising Hunger Awareness Award: King County Council
- Tom Haley Memorial Award: Kathryn Sheehan
(Photo Credit: foodlifeline.org)
One of the highlights of the evening was the Tom Haley Memorial Award. Food Lifeline dedicated this award to Tom Haley’s incredible contributions to end hunger in Western Washington. Paige Haley, Tom’s daughter, was present at the event and presented this award. She was very emotional and shared how much her father cared about the community and Food Lifeline.
Food Lifeline’s missing meals report shows that more than 163 million meals are needed each year in Western Washington to ensure all low income families and individuals have three nutritious meals a day.
Find out how you can help end hunger in Western Washington, Food Lifeline welcomes donations and volunteers. More information is available here.
