Teddy’s Letter to our Community

By Jade Fisher, Communications Specialist

"Dearest and respected Ballard Food Bank team – I am writing this letter that is filled with joy for the fact that I have succeeded with your help ever since coming to the food bank!"

Teddy shares this message with Ballard Food Bank staff and volunteers, “I have witnessed your courteous and highly efficient service and you should be congratulated on your achievement!”

This is how Teddy S. starts his letter to our community. Teddy is a long-time shopper and Kindness Café enjoyer. In the past, he’s kept to himself during his visits. Thanks to his letter introduction, we have now come to know the passionate and gracious person he is!

Ballard Food Bank is a steady part of Teddy's routine. He shares in his letter that shopping in our market for no-cost groceries transformed his economic conditions. Knowing that he could shop for free once per week with us and enjoy a hot, fresh meal any day Monday through Thursday gives him peace of mind and cuts some of his costs. Teddy writes, “We have completed phase one (which was survival) the next phase will be saving.”

In the letter, Teddy goes on to thank our amazing volunteers saying, “We also want to mention our seniors that are helping out at the front desk, kitchen, grocery and checkout. INTERNATIONAL LEGENDS!” Because Teddy recognizes that we could not do this work without our volunteers. Our volunteers are integral to what makes this Hub for Hope so welcoming.

Accompanying the letter, Teddy attaches his budget sheet to the back of the letter. Above the savings amount and in the margins, Teddy includes positive notes for himself.

Being able to find fresh ingredients at Ballard Food Bank has also transformed Teddy's relationship with cooking and food as a whole. Teddy shares, "These groceries and meals you have provided me with have given me momentum to reach this. I have learned to take the time and prepare/cook meals which, cooking, is a beautiful craft!"

Food does so much more than nourish your body. Yes it is a human right and a necessity. It can also be something beautiful to explore and enjoy. It can be an art that you put real love and intention into.

Teddy explains more about the transition from food as survival to food as a craft. "This is no sugar coating. Had it been true that I did not benefit from your services (groceries and meals) I would not have kept a regular attendance of once-a-week grocery and two days per week for meals … The bottom line is you do save lives! Food is important to survive … On the other end cooking is a glamorous task [-] a very colorful process! The groceries I have shopped at Ballard Food Bank has allowed me to take to a further level the kitchen experience."

We are a low-barrier food bank meaning all are welcome at Ballard Food Bank. Food costs are expensive. We understand that food takes up a larger chunk of our neighbors' budgets these days. Being a resource for neighbors like Teddy means we can extend people’s dollars further and hopefully offer relief. When our shelves are stocked and folks feel welcomed to share in the abundance, it can help our neighbors feel empowered and like they are moving into the next phase: thriving instead of just surviving.

We are so thankful to Teddy for sharing this beautiful transformation. Ballard Food Bank offers stabilizing supports in so many different ways to our community. Through our market, we hope to give our 10,000+ monthly visitors the opportunity to create something beautiful and nourishing. Just like Teddy has.