Learn Firsthand: Communities Share the Impact of the Nourishing Neighbors Gift Card Program

The Nourishing Neighbors Gift Program enhances holidays for families, enabling them to purchase the food they need with the freedom to choose. Here are some quotes from our organizations reflecting on the profound imapct the program has on our communities. 

1. "I wanted to just add a personal note that we are beyond thankful for the generosity our clients are shown through these contributions. I had begun to worry whether we would have the gift cards before our holiday distribution in about 1 ½ weeks so I cannot tell you how wonderfully surprised I was to receive the giant box of gift cards containing more than we could have imagined. We have already distributed our first batch of gift cards during our Thanksgiving food distribution and even had to go to our local Safeway three times to purchase more because the need for food has increased so significantly. We will definitely have enough for our December holiday food distribution and enough to be able to distribute to clients during the year as we see need. Thanks so very much for instituting and maintaining a program that has such a significant impact in our local community. We are beyond grateful!! "

2. "Santa just dropped of a box on my doorstep.  I opened the box and inside were 360 $50 Safeway gift cards totally $18,000!!!

WOW!!!  Just what we needed J  I will get these to low-income families immediately!  We are partnering with Rainier Athletes, Jubilee Reach, the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club and Mary’s Place to make holiday wishes come true for these families.  This will be such a wonderful surprise!"- Bellevue LifeSpring

3.  Do you know how happy you were going to make all of my people that I feed? oh my gosh, everyone in this town is hurting so much. Our utility prices of coming up 40%. I never imagined that I would receive these gift cards again. I can’t believe it but I am so very grateful and so happy. thank you from the bottom of my heart , you are going to make so many people so very happy. Yippee they’re going to have turkeys on the table for Thanksgiving and turkeys on the table for Christmas and they can buy all the things they need in their house. I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you".

4.I want to thank you so much for this amazing program. I honestly have not seen many programs like this! It helps so many people and in such a dignified way! People could shop in the store on their own, get whatever they need, and then just use the gift card at the register. There is no need to wait on food pantry lines, no need to take just whatever shelf item the pantry has available. People can shop on their own for fresh produce, and whatever they need at that time, and just swipe the gift card at the end.

I would like to share with you some of the stories and feedback from the program last year:

*There is a woman in our community whose son is sadly mentally ill. He ended up on the streets in Florida. The mother was working really hard to help and support him, but she is a single mom, on a small salary. We gave her some gift cards. She was so thankful!

*There is another woman in our community who recently lost her job. She is disabled, but works now part time at a local grocery store. She desperately reached out to us for help, and we were able to give her some gift cards.

*A mom in our community recently went through a nasty divorce. Her ex is giving her a tough time, and his support is not enough for her and her and her 2 young children, ages 8 and 10. We were able to give her some gift cards. In addition to food, she was also able to use some of the money to buy some basic back-to-school items as well. She felt cared for, and really appreciated it!

*A man in our community has "MS" disease. He is no longer able to work and support himself. We were able to give him some cards. We were also able to use some of the cards ourselves at the store and shop for him, as well as for some of the seniors who have a hard time getting to the store to shop.

These are some examples of the effect of your amazing program. On behalf of all those who benefited from your program, we say thank you!