By: Julie Pizzuto

Before sitting down and meeting with Nancy McKinney, the Executive Director of the Ballard Food Bank, I went to the Ballard Food Bank’s website to see what it said about the history, mission, and vision of their organization. I found that “more than 800 Ballard, Magnolia and Queen Anne households receive food, a hot lunch, clothes, or emergency financial help each week from the Ballard Food Bank.” In 2008 they distributed over one million pounds of food, 27% of which went to the elderly and 14% to children.

From the information I read, it was clear that this was a group of caring and dedicated individuals who shared a common goal–meeting the needs of the less fortunate individuals within the surrounding Ballard community.

When I asked Nancy about approximately how many volunteers helped out at the food bank on a weekly basis, her response was that about a hundred volunteers come through to do various jobs, thirty to forty on any given day. Some of the responsibilities include on-site grocery distribution and home delivery of groceries for the elderly and the disabled.

It was interesting to learn that there were a few diverse groups of volunteers that help out there. From them, the ones who are considered the core group and more stable are the retired individuals. I hope to be just as fortunate to pursue this similar kind of opportunity at that age.

I asked Nancy how she would like to see those in the surrounding community pitch in and help out with donations that meet the needs of the individuals and families who come to the food bank for assistance. She said that she wants them to keep doing what they have been doing, and that is, volunteering, holding food drives and hygiene drives, collecting used clothing, and giving financial contributions.

Our conversation was winding down and there was one more question I had for Nancy. I asked her if there has been a decrease in giving due to the recent financial condition we’ve been experiencing here in the US. Her response was that people had given generously during the holidays and were still generous in their giving today. It’s nice to know that people are willing to help out and give, whether it be with their time, money, or material items, in good and in difficult times.