2021-2022 Community Impact Report - Report - Page 25
THE COMMUNITY TABLE PROJECT & FUND
Through our Social Capital CAB, GGHF has supported area organizations that operate across the food
system to help provide food security in our greater Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula community since 2013.
In partnership with local businesses, our school district, area churches, and hundreds of volunteers, we have supported
organizations as our three local food banks, Food Backpack 4Kids, Key Peninsula Family Resource Center, veterans,
and thousands of families each year served through the Basket Brigade and the Commodity Supplemental Food program,
which helps meet the needs of low-income seniors. Through these efforts, GGHF has distributed more than
117 tons of food and funding, totaling over $1.2-million in support toward addressing the systemic
problem of hunger in our community.
There is no singular barrier to food access – and the need is great. Hunger is a significant issue in our community.
An average of 30% of youth enrolled in our schools (about 1 in 4) come from families who meet federal criteria for free or
reduced lunch programs. For many, these are the only meals they receive with any regularity. And, 1 in 7 adults, primarily seniors,
across our community struggle with hunger. Across all age groups, nearly 25% of our population live in households that struggle against food insecurity, or
lack
of access to an affordable, nutritious diet – and that is more than double the national average!
Several area organizations – from food banks to programs and partnerships in our schools, area senior centers, places
of worship, and more – work throughout the year to help ensure our friends, families, and neighbors don’t go hungry.
Yet, as a community, we are far from coming close to meeting the full need 365 days of the year.
Together, we can realize a future free from hunger in our community; together we can make change happen. The
Community Table, was conceived out of the need expressed by community partners for critical financial
assistance, especially in those months between June and October, to consistently meet the needs of those
dealing with hunger.
May 2023, brings the first annual COMMUNITY TABLE ~ an evening against hunger. Through the dinner event, we
will raise and commit $25,000 annually to honor and support area nonprofits whose
missions are to provide nutritious food to those in need.
The Community Table Fund, launched in late 2022, is a managed community fund
that will be available for sustenance grants to local organizations working to
ensure families essential food needs are met, especially when need is the greatest.
Everyone should have access to food not just during the holidays, but always. Eating is not a privilege or opportunity,
it’s a right.
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