Photo by John Liu/NWAW
Hing Hay Coworks, a nonprofit community gathering and work space in the Chinatown/ID hosted a food drive and kickoff dinner celebration at Tai Tung Restaurant on Nov. 12. Fifty people were in attendance at the event. The food drive benefits the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) Food Bank and runs through Dec. 23.
The ACRS Food Bank partners with Northwest Harvest to serve more than 1 million pounds of food to families in King County a year. About 5,600 people use the ACRS Food Bank and the majority are seniors and children. The Food Bank hands out rice on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The ACRS Food Bank is the only provider in the state that regularly offers foods that meet Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) dietary needs. Rice and noodles are staples — preferred protein and pantry items include canned tuna, salmon, chicken, mackerel, mung/red beans, soy sauce, seaweed, and cooking oil. In 2015, nearly 70 percent were seniors are over 65 and children under 18.
Food items can be donated at the following locations in the Chinatown/ID and Seattle:
– Hing Hay Coworks — 409 Maynard Ave S
– Eastern Cafe — 510 Maynard Ave S
– Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) — 3639 MLK Jr Way S
– Tai Tung Restaurant — 655 S King Street St
– Wann Yen U. District — 1313 NE 43rd St
Direct donations can also be made at acrs.org/contribute.