Second Harvest Food Banks Inland Northwest (Spokane, WA)

by Kate Cornwall

Second Harvest Inland Northwest leads a chain of food banks around the Spokane, Washington area and is a form of community food security.  The organization is highly encouraged and valued in the community of Spokane and makes food more accessible to people with limited food access. Second Harvest attempts to educate and empower the community by reaching out to schools and other programs. 

According to the website, “Second Harvest Inland Northwest has been leading the hunger-relief network in the region since 1971. Second Harvest distributes more than 1 million pounds of donated food each month to help people in need in 26 counties in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Partnerships with more than 300 neighborhood food banks and meal centers make it possible to feed 48,000 people each week.

•    Four out of 10 food bank clients are children.

•    One out of 10 food bank clients are seniors.” 

(Second Harvest, about us <http://www.2-harvest.org/2/about-us/>)

One of the campaigns within Second Harvest is the Plant a Row for the Hungry program.  It asks people in the Spokane area to plant an extra row of produce in their gardens as a donation row.  The idea is that if enough people plant an extra row with little extra effort, many people can be fed.  Anyone can participate in this program.  It is a way for community members to help their neighbors, especially if they do not have spare time or money to donate.  Along with home gardens, Second Harvest encourages growers at the farmers markets, farms, and orchards to plant an extra row or donate their leftover crops that are in good condition.   

Contact information:

Second Harvest Inland Northwest

1234 East Front Ave

Spokane, WA 99202

Phone 509.534.6678 

Fax 509.534.8252

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