Making A Difference Foundation

‼️Last minute announcement!‼️

Our warehouse is moving and we need to transition to the new space. For that reason, we will not be offering our drive-thru grocery service 7/24 and 7/31. Instead we will offer extended hours at the food bank on those two days from 9:30am - 5pm. The drive-thru will resume on 8/7 at the Tacoma Dome Lot A. will also be joining us when we come back to the Tacoma Dome on 8/7.

At Making A Difference Foundation, we do more than just provide food. We believe that hunger and poverty are systemic issues that require comprehensive solutions. That’s why we partner with Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers to offer free legal aid to our clients, addressing the root causes of hunger and paving the way for lasting change. Together, we’re not just feeding bodies, but also empowering lives.

Tacomaprobono will be at our drive-thru tomorrow 7/24 and next 8/7 from 9-11am

‼️NEW LOCATION for Free Grocery Giveaway Drive-Thru Service‼️

For the next 3️⃣ weeks we will be slightly moving our location from Lot G to Lot A of the Tacoma Dome.

Please enter off of East D St. where the front of the line will be to the left as you enter.

We have the great privilege of serving all of you through the food bank, drive-thru service, and deliveries. How have you been impacted by us? Do you have any suggestions for the improvement of our services? Click this link to take our survey and make your voice heard!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JVBYLRF

Our volunteers and staff are hard at work packing the dry goods boxes you receive at our free grocery giveaway and through delivery!

Do you need food or want to help feed your community? Use this link to join our deliveries waitlist or sign up to volunteer!

https://linktr.ee/madfseattle

🌟 Today is Social Media Giving Day! 🌟 Join us in making a real difference by supporting the Making a Difference Foundation. Whether you can donate money, volunteer your time, or share fresh produce from your garden, every bit helps us continue our mission to bring positive change and support to those who need it most. 🙏❤️

📲 Click the link to donate or sign up to volunteer. Let’s come together and show the power of community! 💪✨

https://linktr.ee/madfseattle?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYi2ff_rkcd2qBdqnjlGcDAN99IEowmjGriQt00o7thNYzjog2kKosMVpk_aem_BT7UTEbv-bpft3oz6zL-PA

Great news! Eligible school-age children in Washington can get — $120 per child in grocery benefits during the summer. Together, these benefits help fuel children during the summer months when school is out. Learn more & find out if you are eligible at www.dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks

Happy Birthday Catherine Ushkas. Thank you for your service to the Eastside.

During the summer, childhood hunger is a real issue as many kids lose access to school meals. Eloise’s Cooking Pot is making a difference by welcoming donations of fresh produce from local farms and home gardeners directly to the food bank. Let's come together to help make sure every child has enough to eat! 🌽🍅🥬🥕

Today is National Rainier Cherry Day, marking the peak of the Rainier cherry harvest for our state’s growers.

The Rainier cherry dates back to 1952, when Dr. Harold W. Fogle, a researcher at Washington State University, crossed the Bing and Van varieties to create the Rainier. It has been grown commercially since 1960.

What is your favorite use of Rainier cherries? Leave it in the comments, and feel free to leave a link to a recipe.

📢 Client Recipe! 📢

One of our clients made the most of the extra ripe bananas she got shopping at ECP and made banana jam! 🍌

We love seeing what you all do with the food from ECP! So if you feel inspired by an ingredient you find at Eloise’s message us a picture and the recipe so we can share your creation with everyone else!

Meet Sheila, a dedicated volunteer whose journey of service began in her teens. After 28 years as a flight nurse in the military, followed by a stint at Seattle King County Public Health, Sheila retired but didn’t slow down. Inspired by a line of people waiting for food at Eloise’s Cooking Pot, she started volunteering in 2018. Sheila’s role involves rescuing perfectly edible food from grocery stores that would otherwise go to waste and delivering it to ECP to provide food for those in need. Her commitment to reducing food waste and helping her community is truly inspiring!

Happy Birthday to A’tienne, our Food Bank Manager. Have an amazing.

🌞☀️🆒 As temperatures soar in Tacoma this weekend, with temperatures expected to exceed 90 degrees starting on Sunday, July 7, we will be activating cooling centers. Shelters will also expand their capacity at the following locations with additional beds available:

🔷 Catholic Community Services’ Nativity House (702 S. 14th St.)
🔷 Beacon Young Adult Shelter (415 S. 13th St.)

For more information on cooling centers and inclement resources, visit cityoftacoma.org/InclementResources

Tacoma Police Department Tacoma Fire Department Tacoma Public Library Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

Happy Bithday James our driver and Santa Claus!

Kale Chip Recipe below! 🌱⬇️

We’ve been getting a lot of kale from Early Bird Farm. If you need an easy and delicious recipe to get rid of your kale look no further!

Ingredients:
Kale
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Other favorite spices

Instructions:
De-stem kale, rip into ~4in pieces, pour oil over kale leaves, massage kale and oil until all kale is softer to touch and fully coated. Add spices to kale and mix so all leaves are coated evenly. Put kale into cold oven and turn on to heat to 350. Once oven is at 350 set timer for 5 minutes. Turn off your oven after 5 minutes but keep the kale inside the cooling oven to crisp up (usually about 15-20 min but keep them in longer if the kale doesn’t crisp)

🎆Happy Independence Day!🎇 In celebration, all of our services are closed today. ECP will be back open tomorrow during our regular hours 10am - 4pm

Making a Difference Foundation has been nominated BEST Nonprofit Organization of Pierce County by News Tribune!

Help us win by voting using the QR code or by following this link: https://www.votepiercecounty.com/

📣Voting ENDS on Monday 7/8📣
You can vote every day until the end.
Please make sure to vote before then!

🌟 Hey Everyone! 🌟

We love connecting with you here, and we want to keep the conversation going on all our social media channels! 🎉✨

Follow us on our other platforms to stay updated:

Just scan the QR code below or click the link to find all our social media profiles in one place:
📲 https://linktr.ee/madfseattle?utm_source=linktree_admin_share

Let’s keep this awesome community growing and thriving together! 💬💖

Today, we says good bye to a remarkable individual whose contributions to our organization have been invaluable. Jesse Norling, our computer Technician.

Tribute to Jesse!

Jesse you were a professional who has been a cornerstone of our team computer needs, a person who has not only serviced our technological needs but also touched our hearts with kindness and camaraderie.

From the day you joined us, it was clear that you were more than just a computer professional. You were a beacon of innovation, a guiding light in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. Your dedication and expertise have propelled us forward, allowing us to reach new heights and overcome challenges that once seemed insurmountable.

But your influence extends far beyond your professional accomplishments. You have shown us what it means to live your dreams and to dare to test boundaries. Your journey has been one of growth and learning, and through it, you have inspired us to dream bigger, to push the limits of what we thought possible, and to embrace change with open hearts and minds.

Your kindness has left an indelible mark on all of us. In moments of stress and pressure, you were a calming presence. In times of uncertainty, you offered clarity and support. You treated every member of this organization with respect and compassion, fostering a sense of family and unity that we will carry with us long after your departure.

We have learned so much from you, not just about technology, but about life. You have taught us the importance of balancing our professional ambitions with our personal lives, of cherishing our families and loved ones, and of staying true to ourselves and our values. Your example has shown us that success is not just about achievements, but about the impact we have on others and the legacy we leave behind.

Thank you for everything. You will be missed, but your legacy will remain with us always.

SUN Bucks, Summer Grocery Benefit for Kids

SUN Bucks is a new grocery benefit available across most of the U.S. Families with eligible school-aged children can get $120 per child to buy groceries during the summer. SUN Bucks may have a different name depending on your location. Families can receive SUN Bucks on top of other benefits like SNAP and WIC, and children can continue to enjoy free SUN Meals from local meal sites or with SUN Meals To-Go.

If one is already enrolled in benefits like SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, their school-age children will automatically be enrolled in SUN Bucks if it is available where they live. Also, if a child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP), and the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals, the child may automatically be enrolled in SUN Bucks.

If one is not automatically enrolled, they can apply for SUN Bucks directly. To qualify, you must meet income limits and other requirements. https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunbucks

Rebuilding Hope Finds New Home in Tacoma's Hilltop Neighborhood Rebuilding Hope, an organization that provides support to sexual-assault victims, has purchased a new facility that will service those in Pierce and Kitsap counties beginning in 2025.

Meet David, a shining example of dedication and compassion! 🌟You’ve probably seen David as the greeter at Street Service on Wednesdays @ the Tacoma Dome. His dedication to helping others access food inspires us every day. Thank you, David, for your invaluable support! 💚

We were happy to support the Juneteeth celebration at Stewart Height. Our President and CEO was a judge for Miss Juneteeth.

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