Every Week, We Meet People With a Story

Margaret taught fourth grade for 31 years. At 78, she never expected groceries and prescriptions to compete for the same few dollars each month.

Her Social Security covers most of the essentials, but there is not much left after rent, utilities, and medication. Food became the part of the budget she could cut.

A neighbor told her about Salt of the Earth. She drove past the distribution more than once before finally stopping.

She left with fresh produce, bread, and pantry food. Just as important, she left feeling welcome. She comes most weeks now and has gotten to know other regulars and volunteers.

Carlos and Ana both work, but rent, utilities, transportation, and three growing kids leave very little room in the budget.

Summer can be especially hard when school meals stop and every meal has to come from home.

A coworker told Carlos about the Marysville distribution. What he found was a parking lot full of other families and volunteers ready to help without asking him to explain himself.

The family comes when they need to. Ana has even helped with setup on days she is not working.

David had steady work for years. When his employer closed the local operation, his paycheck stopped but rent and utilities did not.

He applied for jobs and unemployment, but his savings disappeared faster than expected. Within a few months he was skipping meals to stretch what he had.

He found Salt of the Earth online and went to the Everett distribution. Nobody asked him to prove why he was there. He was welcomed, given food, and sent home with enough to make the next week easier.

Months later, after finding another job, he returned to volunteer. That is something our volunteers see often: people receive help, get through a difficult season, and later come back ready to help someone else.