BURIEN, Wash. — After launching in 2020 to serve South King County Latino families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic - Alimentando al Pueblo is now setting new sustainability goals to continue providing services.
Alimentando al Pueblo is a food program that provides cultural foods for Mexican and Central American families. Alimentando al Pueblo means "feeding the people" in Spanish.
Co-founder and executive director Roxana Pardo Garcia said the pandemic opened her eyes to a problem that needed a solution.
"Why not have a food bank that provides people the food that they eat?" Pardo Garcia asked. "I really wanted to honor my community; let them know there are people out here that really care for them and care for their identity, their culture, their relationship to place, their relationship to their families and relationship to their histories."
The program operates out of Lake Burien Presbyterian Church on 14th Avenue Southwest in Burien.
The goal is to provide healing through community, food and celebration.
One of the thousands of families welcomed to the community by Alimentando al Pueblo is Gilma Barahona.
Barahona is a wife and mother of two living in Burien. Coming from Honduras - Barahona said the program provides food she and her family enjoy, but also a sense of community.
She told KING 5, Alimentando al Pueblo is "una bendición" - a blessing for her family when they needed help the most.
For many Latino families like Barahona's - Alimentando al Pueblo became the first food bank or food program they utilized.
"It’s their first time going to a food bank because they know that the food they receive here are foods that they cook with," Pardo Garcia said.
Alimentando al Pueblo reports that 60% of the people who receive its services do not go to other food banks.
The group works with local Latino food distributors and stores to obtain food for its boxes. While food products are donated - Pardo Garcia said much of the food provided is purchased by Alimentando al Pueblo.
Depending on a family's heritage - they can receive either a Mexican food box or a Latin American food box. Families also receive a fresh produce box.
Pardo Garcia said about 80% of each cultural food box is the same with the exception of additional ingredients or "staples" that are common among Mexican or Latin American cooking.
For example, all boxes will contain rice, beans and Maseca. A Mexican food box will also include items such as tortillas and chile guajillo. Central American food boxes will contain yuca, platano and coconut milk.
"While Latinos do go to other food banks, most of the time, they are either giving away the products they received, or they're having to throw it away because they are products they are not familiar with," Pardo Garcia said. "We inherit our families' physical traits, physical characteristics, but we also inherit our families' memories."
Pardo Garcia said the pandemic amplified the need to create community, a sense of safety, and the need to preserve culture.
The program is currently at capacity serving 250 Latino families living across Burien, White Center, Tukwila, SeaTac, Des Moines, and Normandy Park. On average, Pardo Garcia these are families of about four people or more.
In addition to food distribution which will restart later this month - Alimentando al Pueblo hosts several celebrations each year to give families opportunities to gather. The events feature Mexican and Latin American cultural traditions.
"Despite all the inequities and injustices that our communities face we want to ensure that people are joyful and happy," Pardo Garcia said. "Our events really cater to preserve culture through our Mother's Day and Day of the Dead celebrations, and our Posadas. [And] a place where our entrepreneurs are also supported."
As the holidays approach, Alimentando al Pueblo is looking for new funding resources to sustain services into 2024 and beyond.
In total, Pardo Garcia said the program is aiming to raise about $14,000 during the holiday season. This goal is part of its $12K for 12 Days of Christmas campaign.
If you would like to volunteer or donate to Alimentando al Pueblo, click here.
Alimentando al Pueblo recently posted information about it's upcoming La Posada event on Instagram:
KING 5’s annual Home Team Harvest drive to benefit Northwest Harvest is underway. This year’s goal is to raise 23 million meals.
Ways to donate:
- Online through Northwest Harvest
- Visit your local Safeway or Albertsons to give $5, $10 or $12 toward grocery cards.
- Make in-person donations at two locations on Dec. 2 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Rainier Safeway: 9262 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118
Everett Safeway: 5802 134th Place SE, Everett, WA 98208
Watch the Home Team Harvest broadcast special on Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. on KING 5, KING5.com and KING 5+.