On a recent Saturday in Seattle, Cheryl Ewaldsen pulled three warm, golden loaves of wheat bread from her oven. This delightful smell wasn’t for her family—it was for a local food bank. Ewaldsen, 75 and a retired human resources director, volunteers with Community Loaves. This nonprofit connects home bakers with food pantries, a mission that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues today.
Since its start in 2020, Community Loaves, led by Katherine Kehrli, a former culinary school dean, has donated over 200,000 loaves of bread and around 220,000 energy cookies. They have nearly 900 bakers contributing from Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho, making it one of the largest efforts of its kind in the U.S.
As grocery prices rise and federal food aid sees cuts, the demand for these nutritious baked goods is climbing. “Most food banks don’t receive whole-grain sandwich bread,” Kehrli said. “When we ask what they need, they say, ‘More.’”
In fact, the Edmonds Food Bank, where Ewaldsen sends her bread, has seen its client list surge from 350 households to nearly 1,000 in just three years. Nationally, over 50 million people get food assistance each year, according to Feeding America.
Experts in hunger relief are bracing for an increase in these numbers. Recent cuts to federal food aid, including a new tax and spending bill, mean about 3 million people may lose access to food stamps, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Complicating matters, the U.S. Agriculture Department plans to end its annual hunger report, which critics argue will hide the crisis rather than address it.
Federal funding for some food banks, like Edmonds, dropped by at least 10% this year, making every donation crucial. “Many people rely on us,” says program manager Lester Almanza.
Many food bank clients, like Chris Redfearn and his wife Melanie, found themselves turning to food pantries during tough times. Moving to Everett for work, they had to make their savings stretch. “The food pantry saves us $40 to $80 each week,” Chris said. Their experience with Community Loaves was a pleasant surprise. Typically, food banks only distribute processed white breads or pastries on the verge of expiration.
Community Loaves offers wholesome options like honey oat, whole wheat, and sunflower rye, all made with minimal processing. “It’s really wholesome,” Chris noted, “not like typical food bank bread.”
Kehrli’s idea for Community Loaves sparked during the pandemic while she was out of work. Many food banks can’t accept homemade donations due to safety regulations, but in certain states like Washington, bread is an exception. Kehrli emphasized that bakers follow approved recipes and buy their own ingredients, donating both their supplies and time.
“Baking has been fulfilling on so many levels,” Ewaldsen said. She has donated nearly 800 loaves in less than two years. For her, it’s more than just providing sustenance; it’s about connecting with the community. “They don’t need to know who I am, but they feel supported.”
While these volunteering efforts are commendable, experts caution that they cannot replace necessary government services for struggling families. “It’s beautiful that our communities are stepping up,” said Gina Plata-Nino of the Food Research & Action Center. “But a loaf of bread feeds one person, and millions are still in line.”
Research shows that hunger remains a pressing issue. A 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlighted that 10.5% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity. In today’s increasingly challenging economy, local initiatives like Community Loaves play a vital role but underscore the need for broader support and policies to combat hunger effectively.
For more information, you can refer to Feeding America’s latest statistics on food assistance.
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