KIRO 7 News just spotlighted the wonderful Food Business Incubator participants who launched our no-cost meals program!
When Lilian Ryland and her fellow chefs saw neighbors in need of healthy food at the start of the pandemic, they got to work in the kitchen. Since March, they have shared their time and talents to prepare more than 8,000 delicious meals for isolated seniors and families.
We’re grateful to everyone who’s joined this effort to provide meals and connection to our community—and there are many people to thank!
Kitchen superstars
Our chefs and meal packers have included Naija Buka owner Lilian Ryland; Mamá Tila owner Ofelia Anorve; Monique’s Hot Kitchen owner Monica Wachira; Seatango owners Monica Di Bartolomeo and Ariel Firpo; Soozveen Mediterranean Catering owners Sheelan and Zozan Shamdeen; Theary Cambodian Foods owner Theary Ngeth; WUHA Ethiopian-American Cuisine owner Liyu Yirdaw; Moyo Kitchen owners Mwana Moyo and Batulo Nuh; Wengay’s Kitchen owner Krizia Cherece; Jazze’s owner Nasrin Noori; Chef Jalissa Culinary Co. owner Jalissa Horton; FIN Steering Committee members Ehler Win and Anna Kitchin; and Global to Local staff members who went above and beyond to support this program.
Amazing partners and contributors
Our partners at IRC‘s New Roots program contributed fresh produce that’s delivered to seniors along with the meals.
Meals have been distributed by partners including Catholic Community Services; the City of SeaTac Senior Program; Somali Youth & Family Club; Congolese Integration Network; Somali Health Board; and Living Well Kent.
The program has been supported by funding from the American Heart Association, the CARES Act, and dozens of community members who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign. We also received generous in-kind donations from Tilth Alliance; Project Feast; Macrina Bakery; Des Moines Area Food Bank; Food Lifeline; The Storehouse Covington Food Bank; Cheri Mayer; Kerrie Carbary; and caring neighbors.
Feeling inspired? Join us!
Consider contributing to our capital campaign for Spice Bridge, the commercial kitchen and food hall that makes all of our work possible. With your support, Spice Bridge will continue to be a place where we meet food access needs, celebrate diverse cultures, and help talented chefs turn their business dreams into reality.