SEATTLE — A longtime nonprofit focused on alleviating food insecurities and providing family programming for families in north Seattle was gifted $3 million by an anonymous donor.
Marcia Wright-Soika, FamilyWorks executive director, said she burst into tears when she learned about the $3 million donation to the organization.
"It was hard to not just fully experience the emotions of that moment," Wright-Soika said.
Wright-Soika said FamilyWorks, funded primarily by government support and the community, serves 5,000 families every year.
With the $3 million donation, Wright-Soika said the organization has set an internal goal to serve 10,000 families each year by 2028.
"One of the things that is really incredible about this donation is that it gives FamilyWorks the boost that we need to serve more families, which is the whole reason we are here," Wright-Soika said. "We are fortunate and frankly outstanding that there is a member in our community that believes so deeply in what we do that they wanted to make a donation to us for $3 million. It's hard to put into words what this means for an organization like us."
FamilyWorks was established nearly 30 years ago to provide holistic programs for families throughout Seattle. In that time the organization has grown from two staffers to 22 staffers.
“We are really working at the root of food insecurity and making sure there’s enough support for the entire family," Wright-Soika said. "When we talk about our mission we talk about how important it is for families to be food secure as well as to have the resources and support to overcome a lot of systemic barriers they face.”
How you can help
KING 5 and Northwest Harvest are teaming up with Safeway and the Seattle Seahawks for Home Team Summer, which aims to raise awareness and support for school-aged kids experiencing food insecurity during the summer.
Click here to donate online through Northwest Harvest between now and the end of the summer.
KING 5 will also host a food drive at Seahawks Football Fest at Lumen Field on Aug. 3. To support those affected by childhood hunger, join KING 5, Northwest Harvest, Safeway and the Seahawks to donate non-perishable food items. Learn more about Football Fest here.