“They know we are going to come, and they know that they are going to eat today.”

On July 17, the Emergency Feeding Program came to Liberty Park in Renton to dish out free food and hygiene products. Residents struggling with food shortages were able to get granola bars, goldfish, apple sauce, juice, sugar-free soda, personal hygiene packages, socks and more.

“We always try to bring a rounded meal,” said Debbie Germer, the event’s lead coordinator and volunteer. “We pick a variety of different food groups — it’s yogurt, some sort of cheese or protein, fruit snacks, etc.”

Their system for distributing food was incredibly simple. Residents biked or walked up, were handed a free bag, then were able to pick and choose whichever items they wanted.

“It’s a humanistic approach,” Germer said. “It’s not stuff that we are shoving at them. They get to choose what they want. If they don’t want it, that’s fine.”

This simple system allows for easy access and an ability to give food away much quicker than other distribution methods. Germer noted that during peak days, the Emergency Feeding Program can hand out 100 meals in under 45 minutes.

The program provides services in Renton on the first and third Wednesday of every month and has additional events across King County.

If anyone wants to help in this fight against hunger, the Emergency Feeding Program is looking for volunteers.

“We would love to be able to service more areas,” Germer said. “We have opportunities to volunteer, and if we get more volunteers, we could have multiple locations set up across King County.”

To learn more, volunteer or donate, call 425-277-0300 or email bdunbar@emergencyfeeding.org.

The Emergency Feeding Program came to Liberty Park in Renton on July 17. Photos by Max Burchi/Sound Publishing