Multi-Service Center to close food bank due to funding issues

Starting July 7, food bank distribution will end at the Multi-Service Center (MSC) headquarters on South 336th Street in Federal Way and shift four miles north to their new Redondo Heights Food Bank Market.

Originally, the Redondo Heights location at 27606 Pacific Hwy. S. in Federal Way was meant to be an additional food distribution location, but serious deficits in their food bank operations budget caused the need for tough choices.

“Providing nutritious food for our neighbors is a vital resource that Multi-Service Center (MSC) continues to prioritize as one of their core services in our community,” the nonprofit shared in a press release.

In addition to closing the food bank location on S. 336th St. in Federal Way, they are also reducing their food bank staff by 50%.

Last fiscal year, MSC served 6,854 households representing 13,791 unique individuals with their food services. This number totals food bank visits, home delivery and mobile food banks at senior communities, according to MSC.

The budget issues stem from declining funding even as the need for food support continues to grow. Money from COVID relief funding and community generosity have slowed to a trickle, totalling a 42% decline, according to MSC. Food donations from partner organizations have also decreased, forcing MSC to spend more on food purchases.

“While reducing food bank staffing by 50% at the same time MSC is experiencing an increase in food bank clients is difficult, we are committed to providing food for our community and will always find a way to do so,” MSC’s Food Bank Director Steven Curry said in the press release.

MSC reported that it distributed over 1.6 million pounds of food last year, with a total in-kind food value of over $3.5 million.

Community groups often collect food donations for MSC, but that is not keeping up with demand or enough to make up for the budget shortfalls.

The Mayor’s Annual Day of Concern food drive, for example, totalled 13,055 pounds of food in 2024, which represents a huge community impact, but is 3,000 pounds less than the year before, when donations from that event hit their peak.

Smaller groups also often host food drives. About 430 pounds of food were collected at an April 19 rally and demonstration on the corner of Pacific Highway and S. 320th Street.

A protest scheduled for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 1 at the same intersection also collected food donations while “standing in support of labor and workers rights” in the event that seeks to “push back on the unlawful assault on federal workers, the working class, and immigrants and on the civil rights of all citizens,” according to organizers.

This will be the third protest on this theme, with many attendees saying federal cuts to important social safety nets and programs are their motivation for attending.

MSC cited these cuts in its press release as well, saying that pending budget cuts at the federal and state levels will impact their programs even further.

To navigate the budget issues, MSC has taken steps like launching their #hungersquad monthly giving program and Restaurant Week, furlough days for senior leadership, and reducing reducing other expenses where feasible across the organization.

Despite these efforts and major budget cuts, the organization still does not have the funds to continue to operate the food bank.

MSC CEO Kirsten York said in the press release: “As MSC moves through these tough times, we continue to be committed to positive change and we are confident this will be the outcome of this transition. Working together, we will build thriving communities rooted in equity and justice where we all experience joy and belonging.”

The new space at Redondo Heights was designed with a food bank in mind and will allow MSC to serve food bank customers in way that “centers their needs, providing more choice and dignity than at the current location,” as MSC shared.

This includes a setup that is more similar to a grocery store, a waiting area that is modeled like a cafe, including small tables and chairs, and an option for customers to make weekly appointments instead of having to stand in line outside for entry.

Learn more

MSC will provide more detailed information on the opening of Redondo Heights in the coming weeks and will update its website with information on how residents can access the new food bank at https://mschelps.org/gethelp/food.

A short food bank closure of two weeks or less at the end of June to make this transition is anticipated. The public can support MSC’s food bank by joining their #hungersquad or making a gift to support their Redondo Heights Food Bank Fund. Find out more on their website at mschelps.org or by emailing info@mschelps.org.