NORTHWEST HARVEST E M M

Since 1990 Shelley has worked to reduce hunger in Washington State, first with Rotary First Harvest and now at Northwest Harvest. Through her leadership, the agency has met increasing statewide needs by providing more services and distributing more food throughout Washington. In 2005, Shelley began a search for a new warehouse site and subsequently initiated the highly successful 2007-2008 capital campaign, funding the warehouse purchase and retrofit. Shelley has also strengthened the agency’s leadership, infrastructure and partnerships, laying the foundation for expanded services and advocacy work. Shelley staffs the Board of Directors.

On behalf of Northwest Harvest, our clients, partners and volunteers, I’d like to thank our many generous donors throughout the community for your incredible support these past five years of economic slowdown - and the year to come. Northwest Harvest has been fighting hunger in Washington for 45 years, partnering with 360 hunger programs to get food to the people who need it. Everywhere across the state, people report to us that the need for emergency food has grown dramatically. We hear of families losing their homes through foreclosure, facing medical bills that do not leave enough income for food, losing good-paying jobs or being unable to find affordable housing. As Washington State wrestles with budget cuts, crucial support services that help people stay on their feet through tough times are being scaled back, driving more people in need to turn to food banks. All of us working in hunger relief are being asked to do more than ever before. The support we receive for our work from communities all across the state shows that Washingtonians want to help our neighbors in need – and for that, my heartfelt thanks!