SEATTLE – ACRS Food Bank has relocated to a larger new leased space in the Tsue Chong building in the International District of Chinatown, just a few blocks from its previous location.
The new location at 800 South Wheeler Street is approximately 5,500 square feet, 10 times the space of its long-term residence on the South King Street trailer.
In a Feb. 10 press release, ACRS said it is responding to the growing need for culturally relevant food for people experiencing hunger in the Seattle metropolitan area and throughout King County.
“After more than 20 years in a cramped trailer on South King Street, we are delighted to move into a larger space to better address hunger, food insecurity and access to culturally relevant food in our community,” ACRS Aging The director of chemistry and adulthood said G De Castro, director of services who oversees the ACRS food bank. “The new space will allow us to provide a better experience for those who have access to food bank services and resources, even as we are looking for a permanent home for the food bank.”
The new food bank offers customers grocery-style shopping where they can choose the food they need more independently. It also includes generous storage space, two walk-in freezers and a large sorting area for staff and volunteers to operate its remote feeding and home delivery program in the future.
During the pandemic, demand for food banks and senior meal plans has increased by 200%, from serving 600-700 grocery bags per week to more than 2,100 grocery bags.
In addition to nutrition, the ACRS program covers physical exams, senior health, behavioral health, rent and cash assistance, youth development, job training, immigration assistance, and more.
The new food bank is open to the public Friday from 10am-1pm
Volunteers donated more than 850 hours at the ACRS Food Bank to help distribute over 1 million pounds of food in 2021.
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit acrs.org/volunteer.
