What You Can Do to Help Feed the Hungry

Share Your Time & Talents

•Attend an RFH work party. Get directly involved with the fight against hunger, socialize with Rotarians from other clubs, and have a good time too.

Second Saturdays at Northwest Harvest

Northwest Harvest holds a Rotarian work party the second Saturday of every month from 9:00AM to Noon at the Northwest Harvest warehouse, which was recently moved to a new location in Kent, WA. All Rotarians are encouraged to come and help package food.

Fourth Saturdays at Food Lifeline

In the North end of Seattle, Rotary First Harvest work parties are held the fourth Saturday of every month from 9:00 AM to noon at the Food Lifeline warehouse in Shoreline.

Check out Donation Stories for pictures and details of several past work parties.

•Be an RFH Board Representative, or volunteer to assist your current representative

Each Rotary Club in District 5030 should have an RFH Board Representative. Reps are asked to attend four board meetings a year. By making brief announcements at Rotary meetings, the Rep is the communication link between Rotary First Harvest and the Rotary Club. The announcements inform the club about work parties, total pounds of food gathered, and requests for special items or assistance needed by RFH. Reps are also asked to assist with fundraising. The Rep can make a real impact for the organization by encouraging the club and fellow club members to contribute. RFH provides all the information, facts about local hunger, and speaking scripts.

•Volunteer your skills and talents (for example - graphic design, database programming, fundraising, writing, etc.)

Share Your Contacts & Resources

•Do you have contacts in farming, food processing, trucking, packaging, or food storage (dry, cold, freezer, controlled atmosphere) etc.?

"I'm not a farmer, and I certainly don't know anything about trucking or warehousing, but I do have friends and business associates who are involved in these businesses. Maybe I can help."

This comment was made to one of the RFH staff at a Rotary meeting. Within a few weeks, this Rotarian called the RFH office with a list of people she had spoken to about RFH's efforts to collect fresh produce for food banks. These referrals led to donations of apples, potatoes and apricots for people in need.

For more than twenty years, this is how Rotary First Harvest has found new sources of food, transportation and other services. Referrals are the key element to the success of our efforts. Rotarians typically work with or talk to a broad array of individuals and companies. Some of these companies might be involved in warehousing, transportation or the food industry. As you read through this web site, please think about what contacts you have that might be able to help Rotary First Harvest's efforts.

• Can you make an in-kind donation? One Rotarian donates our copy paper, others have donated binders or office supplies. We get a discount on our copy machine and our printing through Rotarian contacts – this reduces our administrative expenses and increases funds available for program services.

Share Your Money (We are a 501c3 agency. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law)

• The most effective way to support RFH financially is to become a Harvest Partner (monthly donor). For as little as $7.50 a month (25¢ a day), you can make an annual donation equal to 5,000 pounds of nutritious produce for the hungry in our communities.
• Make a single lump sum donation. If you would like to make a secure on-line donation, Click here.
• If you’re a business owner, make a company donation.
• Leave a legacy by making a planned gift through your will or trust

Value-added way for individuals to make additional contributions:

• Make RFH gift card donations on behalf of friends, family and business associates. RFH will provide a gift card for the beneficiary.

Other ways to help raise funds:

• Check to see if your company will match donations; apply for the match.
• Find out if your company makes charitable grants. Let us know and support an RFH request to receive one.
• Let RFH know about contacts you have with staff or board members of grant giving foundations or corporations.