Give Big 2021

The Center has operated for nearly 45 years as a 501c3 non-profit member association in which volunteers manage most of the functions and services of the Center.

During COVID-19 we have been open helping seniors & veterans one on one with social services, community resources and referrals. Our Food Bank has remained open on Mondays and Thursdays. We are doing a curbside model where participants stay in their vehicles and volunteers wearing face masks and social distancing load their cars with bakery, dairy, meat, produce, canned and dried goods.

The Federal Way Senior Center is a partner agency of Food Lifeline and Certified in Grocery Rescue. The funds raised will be used for food, scholarships, facility repairs, maintenance and supplies so we can continue to provide a warm and comfortable atmosphere in our log cabin clubhouse. It also will be used to help maintain our Food Bank and Nutritional Meal Programs that provides food to low income seniors, veterans, caregivers, families with children, elderly, individuals, disabled, homeless and other needy individuals. The meals and food they receive at the center maybe the only meal that day. By coming to the Federal Way Senior Center/Food Bank for food the clients not only save money on food but they can save money to help pay their medical, electric, utilities and rent bills. Many of our clients do not have family and would be alone without the center. We provide a social environment and information about community resources and events.

We are seeing an increase in the number of people needing food and coming on a regular basis. Our Food Bank is perhaps a little different from some others in that people get to choose from the food we have available. This reduces food waste and effectively spreads the resource to more people. We also transport and deliver surplus food once a week to SHAG residents, Senior Apartments, King County Housing Authority low income housing facilities, Federal Way Day Center, Korean Women's Ass, Veteran Apartments, Seattle Mission and churches that feed homeless individuals.

The Federal Way Senior Center/SKC Food Bank is very fortunate to receive donations of breads/pastry, meat. canned/dry goods, dairy and produce from Food Lifeline, Trader Joe's, Costco, Twin Lakes Safeway, Military Road Safeway, WinCo, IGA and other donors. Volunteers pick up items 7 days per week. Our Food Bank is open Monday and Thursday mornings from 9:00am to 12:00pm. We are serving over 120 households per week. 360 individuals (service units) per week. Over 1400 individuals per month. (One service unit equals each individual family member who receives food from our Food Bank on each visit. If a person comes to our Food Bank and picks up food to feed 5 family members that is 5 service units).
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Following Dept of Public Health COVID-19 Guidelines for phase 4 opening we will offer our breakfast and lunch program Monday through Friday starting at 9:00am. Clients have access to the continental breakfast buffet consisting of bread, pastries, cereal, fruits, vegetables and beverages. At 11:30 am we serve a hot, nutritionally-balanced lunch menu that includes soup, sandwiches and other entrees. If clients have dietary restrictions we accommodate their needs. The majority of our clients are are low income according to HUD guidelines. The meal program provides basic food to people in need who live in South King County (SKC). Many are people who are often not capable of preparing well-balanced meals for themselves. When we have leftover food we allow our clients to take home a meal, thus expanding the reach of the program. We are serving 150 - 250 people (service units) per week. (One service unit is equal to one meal served to a client). On special event days and holiday celebrations we serve over 100 meals per day.

More than 60 volunteers work a total of over 2000 hours per month to serve those in need at our Center. Volunteers run the programs including senior exercise classes, computer classes, live music and dancing, jam sessions, pinochle, line dancing, bingo, lunch and learn speakers, presentations and excursions. Volunteers serve as waiters, servers, buss tables and expediters who help get the food served promptly. Food Bank volunteers pick up donated food, load and unload food, help the customers, deliver food to low-income housing and staff the Food Bank.

The Center welcomes South King County seniors, veterans, caretakers, families with children, individuals and needy people with its cadre of devoted volunteers that reaches out to the greater community with a variety of programs and services.  The Center offers seniors, veterans and other members of our community a rich array of recreational, learning and service-leadership opportunities. Functioning always as a place where seniors come to play, learn and serve.