Megan Kemmett stands inside the food-storage room in the Snohomish Community Food Bank on Sept. 4.
Photo by Maeve Smith
SNOHOMISH — As of Sept. 3, Megan Kemmett is the new director of the Snohomish Community Food Bank.
Originally from Wisconsin, Kemmett moved to Snohomish in 2017 and “fell in love with the community and the small-town feel.” Since then she has been volunteering around the area at organizations such as The Pilchuck Audubon Society and The Winter Solstice Committee. Her professional background is working at nonprofits.
“Really diving in,” Kemmett said, is her biggest goal in taking on the role of director. “Taking the time to listen and learn from the volunteers that we have here and the board and everyone that we serve.”
“The need is going to be increasing. It is always increasing.” Kemmett said, reflecting on the challenges of directing the food bank. “There’s always going to be more folks to serve, and (I’m) just hoping that the community can meet us with that, and help support us as we have that growing need.”
Kemmett is currently looking forward to Haggen’s “Heroes Against Hunger” campaign. Running now through Oct. 15, customers of the Snohomish Haggen supermarket will be asked at checkout if they’d like to donate to the food bank. “We encourage them to do so,” Kemmett said.
With the holidays coming up Kemmett is excited about the increased donations that usually coincide with this festive season. She encourages people to donate a few specific items, including peanut butter, cereal, pasta sauce, Ensure, and small juice or milk boxes for children.
Volunteers make up the majority of the workforce at Snohomish Community Food Bank with roughly 150 active volunteers currently in the database. “The volunteers are the heartbeat of this organization,” Kemmett says. “We could not do what we do on a day-to-day basis without the volunteers.”
The Snohomish Community Food Bank relies on community donations, government commodities, and the Food Lifeline through Volunteers of America. Food Lifeline is the largest hunger relief organization in Washington state and provides food banks across Western Washington with fresh produce.
In addition to hunger relief, the Snohomish Community Food Bank has services such as the Infant Program, the Pet Food Program, and the Food 2 Go Program.
The infant program collects donations of diapers, formula, and other necessities for young children. The pet food program collects pet food donations.
The Food 2 Go Program is returning this school year, providing weekend groceries for teens experiencing food insecurity through a partnership with the three high schools in Snohomish.
“What excites me the most is being able to give back,” Kemmett said. “I’m really passionate about serving the community I live in.”
The Snohomish Community Food Bank’s general service hours are Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations can be accepted Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Starting this September, the minimum age for admission during Senior Hour has been lowered to 62. Senior Hour runs from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Fridays.
The food bank plays a “critical role for our community,” Kemmett said. “We’re lucky to have it, and we really have to take care of it and cherish it, because it’s something that Snohomish needs.”
