Food Backpacks 4 Kids Adds a New Program to Its Mission

Food Backpacks 4 Kids received $60,000 from Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to provide basic services for needy families on the Key Peninsula. FB4K will become one of 10 Family Resource Centers in Pierce County receiving the same funding.

The local Family Resource Center was run by the Children’s Home Society of Washington until May 2024, when it closed its doors. CHS had been providing various community services there since 1992. The abrupt departure left a gap in the community for people seeking help in obtaining health care, food, or other support services.

FB4K Executive Director Zaida Woodworth said they had been providing resource services to families informally since the inception of the organization in 2009. Staff assisted families seeking help with housing, employment, food, and health care.

“Families who experience food insecurity are pressured by many other needs,” Woodworth said.

“We will start slowly by providing minimal services, including free diapers and wipes for families, assistance in navigating applications for Apple Health, food assistance, and other support programs,” she said. “Clients will have access to the Triple P program (Positive Parenting Program), either online or in-person. Staff communicate regularly with other organizations locally, in an effort to not duplicate services already provided on the Key Peninsula.”

A temporary auxiliary building was acquired to house the new program, next to the existing FB4K building in Key Center. It will provide a confidential space for sensitive phone calls, a private workspace for clients, and storage for supplies. Woodworth said the Family Resource Center is looking for office furniture. In addition, they need Chromebooks for clients to use when filling out applications or participating in the Triple P program online.

FB4K employs one full-time employee — Woodworth — two employees working 30 hours each, and two 12-hour-a-week employees. The staff manages the program, but one person will become the main contact person for the Family Resource Center. The additional funding for the Family Resource Center will supplement employee hours, and provide support for the facility. FB4K staff will receive ongoing training from Cynthia Covarrubias, health promotion coordinator of the health department for the Family Support Partnership. In addition, staff will tour other Family Resource Centers for observation.

Pierce County Councilmember Robyn Denson (D-7th) said in a statement “I was thrilled to hear that Food Backpacks 4 Kids was awarded the new Family Resource contract. FB4K is one of the most trusted organizations on the Key Peninsula. They already serve hundreds of KP families, so they are extremely well-positioned to know what additional resources and services families need and can provide those services in ways that are truly respectful.”

FB4K administers 10 programs throughout the year, some seasonally: Food Backpacks, Care Cupboards, Family Pantry, Home Delivery, Clothing Giveaway, Food 4 All, Summer Lunch in the Park, Back 2 School, and Holiday Meals.

“The whole program (FB4K) has changed to include entire families,” said staff member Monica Wulff. “The new program will be well received by the community, especially the private space, off the main street, where not everyone can see your personal business.”

Woodworth said, “We are currently serving 1,000 families a month on average. There are many challenges, especially around housing. Everything is in development right now.”