2026: Fall Newsletter

VOLUME 26, ISSUE 3

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

As the holiday season approaches, many of us begin making plans for gatherings around the table, sharing meals with loved ones, and celebrating traditions both old and new. Yet for many families in our community, the months ahead can bring uncertainty and worry. Rising grocery prices, increased utility bills, and the everyday challenges of making ends meet can make the holiday season especially difficult. That’s why one of the most meaningful ways our community comes together each year is through our Reverse Advent Holiday Food Drive.

One of the things that continually inspires us is the generosity of our community. Time and again, when families are facing hardship, neighbors step forward to help neighbors. Small acts of kindness, when multiplied across an entire community, create an incredible impact.

The Reverse Advent Holiday Food Drive is a simple yet powerful way to help ensure local families have food on their tables during the holiday season.

Unlike a traditional advent calendar where you receive something each day, a Reverse Advent Calendar encourages participants to set aside one food item each day throughout October. By the end of the month, you have collected a box full of food that can help provide holiday meals and pantry staples for local families.

This meaningful tradition is perfect for:

• Families

• Schools

• Churches

• Businesses

• Community organizations

Every can of soup, box of cereal, package of pasta, and jar of peanut butter represents more than food. It represents a community saying, “You matter. We care. You are not alone.”

As we prepare for the increased demand that comes with the holiday season, the Reverse Advent Holiday Food Drive helps ensure our shelves remain stocked and ready to support those who turn to us for help.

How to Participate

1. Download the Reverse Advent Calendar checklist.

2. Add the suggested food item each day during October.

3. Bring your completed donation box to the Marysville Community Food Bank in November.

Learn more and download your calendar at: www.marysvillefoodbank.org/reverseadvent

One Item. One Family. One Community.

The beauty of this project is that anyone can participate. A single item may seem small, but when hundreds of people come together with a shared purpose, those small acts of kindness become thousands of meals, moments of relief, and reminders that our community cares.

Thank you for helping us Harvest Hope this holiday season. 🍂

Volunteers in the Spotlight

JUNE: Scott Stokes

Our June 2026 Volunteer of the Month is Scott Stokes! For over two years, Scott has volunteered in the Meat Department and helped with Home Deliveries, bringing energy and community spirit to every shift.

A retired educator, Scott spent 40+ years teaching, counseling, and coaching football at Marysville-Pilchuck High School before retiring in 2021. Now, he enjoys time with his wife Nancy, sons Matt and Danny, their families, and his 3-year-old grandson Jack. When he’s not at the Food Bank, you’ll often find him hiking, skiing, or fishing.

JULY: Gregg Field

We’re proud to recognize Gregg Field as our July Volunteer of the Month! Gregg has volunteered with the food bank for the past three years, helping keep things running smoothly in the parking area and greeting clients with a friendly smile. Before retiring, he worked as both a teacher and a construction project manager. When he’s not volunteering, Gregg enjoys gardening, writing music, and cheering on the Everett AquaSox. We’re grateful for his dedication to helping our community and making a difference for local families every week.

AUGUST: Sheralyn Craig

August’s Volunteer of the Month is Sheralyn Craig! Since 2014, Sheralyn has been a valued member of our volunteer team, helping sort produce and ensure nutritious food reaches our neighbors in need. A longtime Thursday volunteer, she recently added Saturdays to her schedule as well. Before retiring, she spent 20 years with the Marysville School District. Sheralyn volunteers to give back to the community, having once received assistance from the Food Bank herself. We are grateful for her dedication, compassion, and more than a decade of service.

Holiday Toy Store Needs Your Help

Holidays should be joyful for every child.

The Holiday Toy Store gives parents relief, dignity, and a way to share joy with their children despite financial hardship. Together, we brighten the season for many local families.

Last year, we helped bring holiday joy to thousands of children in Marysville, Lakewood, and Tulalip.

We are currently accepting:

🎁 New unwrapped toys

🎁 Books

🎁 Games and activity kits

🎁 Gifts for tweens and teens

🎁 Gift cards

🎁 Monetary donations

Financial contributions help us fill inventory gaps and purchase gifts for age groups that are often underrepresented in toy donations.

Every toy donated and every dollar given helps make the holidays brighter for local children.

🍂 Harvesting Hope

Letter from the Director

Dear Friends,

As the leaves begin to change and the holiday season approaches, many of us naturally turn our thoughts toward family gatherings, traditions, and gratitude. Yet for many of the families we serve, this time of year brings a very different set of emotions.

The months ahead can be some of the most difficult. Families who are already struggling to keep up with rising housing costs, utility bills, transportation expenses, and everyday necessities are faced with even greater pressures during the holiday season. Parents worry about providing a Thanksgiving meal for their family. Grandparents living on fixed incomes wonder how far their dollars will stretch. Children look forward to the excitement of the holidays while parents and caregivers quietly wonder how they will afford the meals, gifts, and celebrations that so many of us take for granted.

Every day, we meet individuals and families doing their very best. They are hardworking people, seniors, veterans, parents, and neighbors who simply need a little extra support during challenging times.

What gives me hope is seeing how our community continually responds with compassion and generosity.

Because of you, pantry shelves remain stocked. Because of you, families have food on their tables. Because of you, children experience the joy of receiving a gift during the holidays. Whether you volunteer, donate food, participate in a food drive, or make a financial contribution, you are helping create hope for someone who may be facing one of the hardest seasons of their life.

On behalf of our staff, volunteers, and the thousands of neighbors we serve, thank you. Thank you for believing that no one in our community should have to face hunger alone. Thank you for standing beside us and helping ensure that hope remains available to everyone who walks through our doors.

As we enter this season of gratitude, please know that you are making a difference every single day.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Amy Howell

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Join Us This Holiday Season

As we prepare for the busy holiday season, we invite you to join us in ensuring that every family who turns to the Marysville Community Food Bank receives not only food, but also hope, encouragement, and the support of a community that cares.

Whether you donate food, participate in our Reverse Advent Holiday Food Drive, contribute to the Holiday Toy Store, volunteer your time, or make a financial gift, your support helps ensure that no neighbor faces the holidays alone.

YOUR SUPPORT IN ACTION

Harvest season is a time for gathering, sharing, and giving thanks. At the Marysville Community Food Bank, we see those values reflected every day through the incredible generosity of our community.

Because of your generosity in 2025, we:

🛒 Served 46,323 households

🛒 Served 104,028 individuals

🛒 Distributed 1,849,429 pounds of food

🛒 Served 22,857 seniors

🛒 Served 36,968 children and youth

These numbers represent much more than meals. They represent families finding stability during difficult times, seniors maintaining their independence, and children receiving nutritious food they need to grow and thrive.

Every donation and every volunteer hour helps ensure that no one has to face these challenges alone.

Shoutout to our Sponsors

We are thrilled to share the success of our recent fundraiser! Thanks to our generous community, we raised critical funds to support our mission.

How You Can Help This Holiday Season

🎀 Donate food

🎀 Participate in the Reverse Advent Holiday Food Drive

🎀 Donate toys or gift cards

🎀 Making a financial contribution

🎀 Volunteer your time

🎀 Share our mission with family and friends

Every act of generosity helps provide hope for local families.

Know somebody who could use our services?

Please encourage them to contact us. Families may come once a week for full service. We are located at 4150 88th Street NE, behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

Distribution days are Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m., and Fridays from 9 to 11 a.m. Seniors age 62 and older and disabled clients are invited to come on Mondays from 9 to 11 a.m., a day specially designated for their service.

Appointments are required. Please visit our website to make your appointment.

Get Food

Our Impact, Together

Explore our annual report to see the difference this community makes every day — from full bellies to hopeful hearts.

Annual Report

Other Helpful Links