About Us

In 2024, we served an average of 2,644 individuals per week. This represents 1,282 children and youth and 1,362 adults each week. We distribute approximately 28,190 pounds of food each week, made possible by over 10,000 hours of volunteer work over the course of the year.

Mission/Vision

Our purpose is to provide nutritious food to those in our community who need it most.

We are a partner agency with Northwest Harvest, and Second Harvest of the Inland Northwest, and are a member of the Washington Food Coalition. We also receive food and funding from the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other local and regional funding agencies.

We also benefit from plentiful in-kind donations from local businesses such as Costco Wholesale, Winco Foods, Grocery Outlet, Wray’s Marketresh IGA, Walmart, Starbucks, US Foods Chef’s Store, HR Spinner, and more – as well as the annual Operation Harvest and donations from individual supporters.

Although we have no formal affiliation with Yakima Rotary Charities, they have been very supportive in the past, including by helping finance our new facility in 2015, so we retain the word “Rotary” in our name. See pictures of that construction and dedication ceremony below.

The Legacy and Growth of the Yakima Food Bank

Humble Beginnings: The Vision of Three Women

Never underestimate the power and drive of three local Eastside women who, in 1971, decided to help feed families in need from what became known as the Yakima Food Bank. Their efforts laid the foundation for what eventually became known as the Yakima Rotary Food Bank, representing thousands of hours invested by community organizers and volunteers. It all started with three community members—Frances Arnold, Alice Robinson, and Mary Hersey—who dedicated themselves to ensuring that families had access to food by working with nonprofit food distributors such as Northwest Harvest and Second Harvest, as well as local grocery stores and organizations.

Recognizing the growing need for food assistance, a planning committee was formed in 1971 to develop a community-driven approach. Representatives from the Department of Social and Health Services, Southeast Community Center, St. Vincent DePaul, the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and the Council of Churches joined forces, acknowledging that collaboration was essential to efficiently distribute food and prevent duplication of services. Their collective concern centered on the increasing financial strain on households, particularly seniors, whose fixed incomes could not keep pace with rising costs, leaving them with fewer resources to afford food.

After eight years of coordinated efforts, the Yakima Food Bank continued distributing food and officially incorporated on March 5, 1979, with a mission to provide food to those lacking financial or other resources, regardless of race, creed, or national origin. The original board members included Pat Reynolds, Helen Taylor, Mary Jackson, Alice Robinson, and Ben Chandler.

A New Era: The Rotary Food Bank

For more than six decades, Yakima has benefited from a steady supply of food thanks to the dreams and hard work of community leaders committed to the well-being of their neighborhoods. The Yakima Food Bank initially operated out of several buildings before settling at 703 Central Avenue in 1985, across from the Southeast Community Center. Volunteers like Alice Jackson, Alice Robinson, and Mary Jackson worked tirelessly to keep the mission alive, distributing food and limited health services from a small, outdated house that struggled to accommodate the growing need.

Between the 1990s and 2014, the Food Bank continued operating from this location, making gradual improvements with the help of volunteers, including those from around the state and the Young Neighbors in Action program, a program of the Catholic Church. With contributions from a Perry Tech refrigeration class, volunteers installed new flooring, improved accessibility, replaced doors and windows, and built a walk-in cooler and freezer, significantly enhancing food storage and distribution capacity.

As the demand for food assistance increased, discussions emerged about remodeling the old house. The first plan was to build an extension to the front of the building so clients could be under cover while they waited for food distribution. While determining construction costs, Betty Clark Capron showed visitors a portion of the roof which was failing by pushing on it with a broom handle which resulted in a shower on the rest of the team. She then pointed out the current state of the floor in front of the refrigerating system warning team members to not walk on it as they would fall through.

After evaluating potential new sites for the food bank, the City of Yakima, in partnership with the Food bank, identified the Southeast Community Center campus as the ideal location.

In June 2014, the City of Yakima entered an agreement with the Yakima Food Bank to build a new facility. By spring 2015, the Downtown Rotary Club redirected a $15,000 Foundation grant toward the project. Structural assessments confirmed that the aging building was no longer suitable, reinforcing the urgent need for a new space. Board members at this time included Earl Hall, Jerry Klingele, Dr. Doug Capron, John Everhart, Betty Clark Capron, Ron Graham, Tony Duran, and Diana Kelly.

The City of Yakima contributed $130,000 for land acquisition from Donald and Barbara Hicks while additional funds were raised through Rotary Trust and local donors. The old house and land were leveled, trees were removed along the sidewalk and construction began with support from Rotarians and local businesses, ensuring the project’s completion. The Yakima Community Foundation provided new refrigeration units, and local businesses funded the lighting system.

A major milestone was reached when the new 3,000-square-foot Rotary Food Bank opened under the leadership of long-time Rotary member and Yakima Food Bank volunteer, Pete Bansmer. While this marked a significant achievement, the Rotary Food Bank’s vision extended beyond food distribution—it aimed to create a sustainable, community-centered operation that would continue serving Yakima for years to come.

With a 20-year partnership agreement with the City of Yakima, the new facility enabled an expansion of services, increasing weekly food distribution from 300 families in 2008 to an average of 650 families per week, supported by 30 dedicated volunteers. However, the continued rise in food insecurity presents ongoing challenges.

Commitment to Serving the Community

Despite the increased demand, the Rotary Food Bank remains steadfast in its mission. As one of seven local food banks in Yakima County, it continues to provide essential food items to 650 plus families weekly. The organization maintains a community-focused approach, ensuring that food remains accessible regardless of race, color, creed, or economic status.

Partnerships with Northwest Harvest, local grocery stores, community organizations, and area farmers sustain the food supply, incorporating farm-to-table practices whenever possible. Additionally, the Rotary Food Bank provides ready-to-eat food for individuals experiencing homelessness, addressing immediate food insecurity needs.

Looking Ahead

As the need for food security continues to grow, the Rotary Food Bank remains committed to being a reliable and trusted resource for the Yakima community. The mission remains unchanged: to provide essential food and dietary needs to all who seek assistance. Through collaboration, dedication, and the unwavering support of volunteers, the Rotary Food Bank continues to serve as a vital community lifeline, ensuring that no one goes hungry.