The West Seattle Food Bank's 6th Annual Instruments of Change fundraiser event, held on May 3 at the Hall at Fauntleroy, was a roaring success with nearly $100,000 raised.

Judy Yazzolino, the food bank's new development director, shared the story:

The West Seattle Food Bank, dedicated to providing food security and community connections, welcomed 200 guests for their 6th Annual Instruments of Change held at the Hall at Fauntleroy on Friday evening, May 3rd. Thanks to the generosity and community spirit of the attendees, the event raised almost $100,000.

Instruments of Change hosted a happy hour, fun games like the Wheel for Foodies and the Wine Toss as well as a silent and live auction. Prizes included certificates to great restaurants, fine bottles of wine, date nights in Downtown Seattle, hand-blown glass floats from Avalon Glassworks and a fabulous trip to Umbria, Italy. Sozo Wine was on hand to sign up individuals for their wine club, proceeds from which will be donated back to the food bank or other charities of the individual’s choice. A popular live auction item was a dinner for 10 that will be prepared and served at the West Seattle Food Bank by the staff and volunteers. The ingredients will reflect the type of food distributed by the Food Bank and the wine will be provided by Board President Ben Viscon of Viscon Cellars.

The evening included two special guest speakers, both West Seattle residents. Kristen Corning Bedford, co-founder of The Ruby Room, a non-profit organization that provides formal attire to teens in need so that they may participate in more formal event like proms. Kristen spoke about the meaning and concept of philanthropy and how it has positively impacted her life. She went on to explain how everyone can become a philanthropist by engaging in informed, intentional and joyful giving.

The second speaker shared a touching personal story of how the West Seattle Food Bank helped her through a difficult, stressful time. With no family support and two adolescent boys, she exhausted her savings and turned to the West Seattle Food Bank for assistance. She is so grateful to all those who helped her access basic needs so that she could focus on building a brighter, more hopeful future for her family.
Last year the West Seattle Food Bank distributed over 1.3 million pounds of food. Families received food over 38,000 times and 3,404 children relied on our services. In addition to food the Food Bank distributed books, baby supplies, pet food and many other items to help families live a healthy life.

We offer a special note of thanks to our Instruments of Change Sponsors: Community Humanitarian Jackson, Morgan and Hunt, PLLC; and Community Benefactors Friedman Development, First Lutheran Church, and the CoHo Team of Windermere Agents. Please visit our website www.westseattlefoodbank.org for our full list of generous sponsors and more information on the evening.

The support of many individuals, organizations and businesses is how we develop our resources and improve our services. We would like to thank all who helped make this event such a success. This will make a difference in our work to end hunger in this community.