Imagine trying to serve meals to the most vulnerable Washingtonians with an all volunteer staff and a kitchen that has long passed time for an upgrade.  The recession has meant that you’ve an increase in need and you and your fellow volunteers are serving 22% more meals than you ever have.  You are projecting a 15% increase in need over the next year and the City of Issaquah has asked your program to become part of the emergency response network.

What are you going to do?  Issaquah Meals, a program of Catholic Community Services, said “Why the Fork”.

Issaquah Meals has been serving healthy, nutritious dinners to low-income and homeless families on the Eastside since late spring 1989.  The program, started at the request of the City of Issaquah and local churches, began serving meals two nights per week.  Two nights was not enough to meet the need and Issaquah Meals now serves 5 dinners per week.  Run almost completely by volunteers who prepare meals at the homes, IM’s kitchen is in desperate need of renovation.  Despite having very little storage capacity, no dishwasher, and cabinets and drawers that are falling apart, Issaquah Meals is seeking a partnership to expand dinner service to the weekends.

Seven days a week!  Issaquah Meals is already serving more than 700 meals per month, but it’s not enough.  Weekend dinner will allow IM to ensure that our most vulnerable Eastside neighbors have seven nutritious meals.  More meals served means that IM’s clients will be able to stretch their budgets for essentials.  In addition, Issaquah Meals will be able to join the emergency response network for the city.  IM will ensure that the community is prepared for a disaster by storing emergency rations on site.

YOU can help Issaquah Meal and 11 other local hunger relief organizations with a donation at http://whythefork.org. Through April 14, all gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar. That means that your gift will be doubled!

A kitchen renovation will help Issaquah Meals serve more low-income and homeless families on the Eastside.  So, say Why the Fork and ensure that Issaquah Meals can expand their outreach and services!

Please click here now to stick a fork in hunger! Give today, and tomorrow more people will eat. Thank you for helping end hunger in our community.