UPDATE: Thanks to the incredible support of our community, our May Aid the Agency Fundraiser not only reached its goal of $30,000 in 30 days but exceeded it spectacularly. The Aid the Agency events and donations brought in a total of $46,500. Due to this tremendous success, we are excited to announce the upcoming launch of our food pantry, the EFA Market, in July 2024.
We are thrilled to present this new opportunity to our community. At the EFA Market, you will be able to shop according to your household's unique nutritional needs. Say goodbye to prepackaged bags and hello to a market where you can select the best options for you and your family. This is a significant step forward for the health and wellness of our community!
Thank you to each one of you for your support of our Aid the Agency Campaign. Together, we have made a difference!
A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR:
Dear friends and neighbors, May is Hunger Awareness Month in Eatonville.
When folks find themselves in hard times and needing some extra support many turn to the Eatonville Family Agency for help. Why? Because they know they will receive professional and confidential help. They also know they will be treated by dedicated, compassionate staff and volunteers in a warm, caring environment.
Community contributions have helped Eatonville Family Agency provide services, including food, clothing, school supplies, backpack food assistance, holiday food and toy distribution, DSHS enrollment, senior citizen activities, and resource information. Donations help us touch the lives of thousands – in 2023 over 15 thousand were served through our food bank program alone. Many customers coming through our doors are families with two working parents who are finding themselves unable to make ends meet. They are working hard to provide but find that in the end, their paychecks just don’t cover all the expenses. Senior citizens are using the food bank at a substantial rate also.
The Eatonville Family Agency is in a positive financial state, but see more demand for services as the number of new customers coming in continues to rise. During 2023, we saw a 19% increase in food bank customers and a 67% increase in all our programs and services combined. Unfortunately, the need to feed our community is not something that will go away quickly. The services from the EFA will be vital to our community now must be protected for the future. As we look ahead, we hope that the generosity of our community will continue with our annual appeal. Join us in our annual Aid the Agency Campaign to *raise $30,000 in 30 days by donating, joining us at our many community events in May, and helping us spread the word about Hunger Awareness.
With your donation, you are investing in our “People Helping People” vision. Your support sustains our day-to-day operations as we bring nutritious food, through effective programs and partners, to the community.
Thank you for your support.
Kylee Hutchings, Executive Director
