University District Food Bank

In 2023, University District Food Bank saw demand for services increase by 60%. This increase in demand, rising food costs and the elimination of some Covid era benefits resulted in a doubling of our fiscal year food purchasing budget.

For over four decades, University District Food Bank has helped prevent hunger in Northeast Seattle neighborhoods. Each week, more than 2,200 different families receive the groceries they need to prepare nutritionally balanced, culturally relevant meals at home.

In July 2016, after an incredible history at University Christian Church, we moved into a purpose-built new home co-located with 49 units of affordable housing operated by LIHI and YouthCare, a job skills training café operated by Street Bean, and an amazing rooftop garden where we grow produce for the food bank year round.

Last year, we had over 109,000 household visits (253,000 individuals) and distributed over 3.4 million pounds of food across all our programs.

Approximately 20% of our customers are infants and children, 63% are adults, and 17% are senior citizens.  25% of our customers are also unsheltered, so we try to provide them with ready-to-eat foods when they visit the food bank.

Our home delivery program reaches over 450 home-bound customers every week. Our backpack program, at 18 nearby schools, provides over 960 kids with meals and snacks for the weekend when school meals aren’t available.

Our two off site food pantries located at Mercy Magnuson Place and North Seattle College provide groceries to over 375 households a week.

Our recently opened “Apple a Day Café” (in the former Street Bean space) offers a selection of freshly prepared meals and beverages to patrons, filling them with sustenance and a sense of community.

Our Community Connector program links customers to important resources and services outside the food bank, helping customers improve economic stability and self-sufficiency.