Adobe and FamilyWorks Give Seattle Neighbors a Hand Up

Created by the Fremont Public Association in 1995, FamilyWorks is a nonprofit food bank and resource center for low-income families in the North End neighborhoods of Seattle, Washington. It is the only organization in the area offering combined food and family support services. At the end of 2002 alone, FamilyWorks experienced a 30-percent increase in clients seeking emergency assistance.

Visitors can select groceries provided by Northwest Harvest, Food Lifeline, local stores, community groups, and neighbors. Each year, FamilyWorks serves approximately 48,000 bags or 500 tons of groceries to more than 6,000 families. The food bank is open four days a week, including Thursday evenings, and two Saturdays a month to accommodate working families.

The resource center sponsors a weekly health clinic for women and children, offers employment counseling and support groups, leads classes and workshops in parenting, budgeting, first aid, nutrition, cooking, and other life skills, hosts an ongoing series of family activities and gatherings, and provides on-site childcare for center participants.

FamilyWorks has been an Adobe Community Investment Partner since 2000. In 2002, Adobe committed US$60,000 to the organization. In addition, Adobe's Seattle Philanthropy Council donated an additional US$5,500 to FamilyWorks programs, as well as coordinated teams of employee volunteers who help sort and distribute food at the center each week.

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