Taking a bite out of food insecurity: partnership grows food distribution capacity

In the wake of the pandemic, families across southwest Washington still struggle to make ends meet. Often that means deciding between paying bills and buying food. At the same time, the nonprofit organizations that provide critical services, support and resources to the community are stretched thin by spiking demand.

centers across the region. The program places interns with local food distribution centers, helping individuals gain skills and work experience and at the same time building much-needed capacity at food banks and pantries to feed our community.

“WSW’s investment increases economic opportunity for employees placed at food banks and families served through the sites,” said Miriam Halliday, chief executive officer of Workforce Southwest Washington. “Partnerships with community-based organizations and nonprofits across Cowlitz, Wahkiakum and Clark counties enable our local workforce development system to holistically serve families and individuals while supporting local business recovery and growth.”

The internship program includes partners at WorkSource in Vancouver and Kelso, and southwest Washington food distribution centers. WorkSource screens job seekers and matches them to one of the food distribution centers in a paid internship. In addition to Lower Columbia CAP, program participants had internships at the Clark County Food Bank, Salvation Army, FISH of Vancouver and XChange Recovery.

As of 2020, 13.5 percent of Cowlitz County’s population was facing food insecurity. That’s about 14,600 people. In Wahkiakum County 11.4 percent were food insecure (490 people) and in Clark County 9.9 percent (47,630 people) were facing food insecurity.

The COVID-19 pandemic put a strain on already limited social services, including the distribution of food to our region’s most vulnerable households. Southwest Washington residents struggle to make ends meet, facing skyrocketing inflation, and rising food, gas and housing costs.

Compounding the issue, volunteers that help keep food banks running are in short supply. “In the early part of the pandemic, we were desperate for volunteers to help get food into the hands of those that needed it,” said Tammy Davies of Lower Columbia Community Action Program (CAP). “Many of the volunteers that serve at food banks, pantries and meal programs are over 60 years of age and in the high-risk category for COVID-19. Those older volunteers stepped away from service to minimize their risks and have chosen not to return, leaving many food programs strained for help.”

In response, Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) and the Washington State Department of Commerce began a partnership in 2021 to increase the capacity of food distribution

Since the start of the program, 47 people have participated at food distribution sites, increasing capacity in a time of critical need. After completing their internship and gaining valuable work experience and transferrable job skills, program participants were subsequently hired by companies including PeaceHealth, SEH America, Lower Columbia College, the United States Postal Services and others across southwest Washington.

Lower Columbia CAP hosted several interns through the program. Two interns worked in the warehouse, assembling food boxes for monthly food distribution. Another two interns worked in Senior Nutrition (commonly known as Meals on Wheels), making and packing meals, maintaining inventory and, when necessary, delivering food to local seniors. The interns are learning valuable skills, including office procedures, voucher tracking and food handling and have helped to enhance and expedite services.

Partnerships with food distribution nonprofits across southwest Washington are key to creating a regional economy where all people can build self-sufficiency and advance in their careers. The program empowers interns to build their skills, allows families to access resource integral to survival and builds capacity for nonprofit organizations through demanding times.

Investments in our community are the core of Workforce Southwest Washington’s work. We invest in programs that partner with our region’s businesses and community, and we hope you will join us!

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