Okay, now I’m depressed. First, I hear that the Executive Director of Verbena Health, where I served as interim executive director in 2006, has been accused of major embezzlement of agency funds (see Head of Local Nonprofit Accused of Embezzlement). Right now, I’m too sad to even comment.
Then, when searching for this news story, I see another story titled “King County’s biggest Food Bank May Close” about Operation Emergency Center, about one of only two or three (depending how you count) food banks in the entire Rainier Valley (yep, out of 29 food banks in the City of Seattle, only three are in the most impoverished quarter of the city). The other main Rainier Valley food bank, Northwest Community Services, has been unstable for some time (i.e. sending out appeals for funds saying its doors might close), and is currently going through leadership transition. Please, no more unpleasant surprises today!
Here’s some additional info on food banks in the South End. As I understand it, OEC did close its doors. However, NW Community Services has renamed itself the Rainier Valley Food Bank, and is going strong. You can visit them and make a donation at http://www.rvfb.org/.