On September 7, 2025, the Rainier Valley community celebrated the grand opening of its new community food hub, marking a culmination of more than 10 years of effort. The event featured various activities, including a guided scavenger hunt through the hub’s stations, starting at a community garden where attendees painted wooden stakes and learned from Executive Director Gloria Hatcher-Mays. Guests explored a new commercial kitchen, engaged with the outreach coordinator at the Community Connector offices, and participated in an annual bag-packing race in the warehouse.
The celebration included performances by the Mak Fai Kung Fu Lion Dance Club and the Seattle All-City Band, as well as food from local restaurants and a mocktail bar. Mayor Bruce Harrell addressed food insecurity in Seattle, emphasizing the importance of food access. The 2025 bag-packing competition crowned 15-year-old Wyatt as the winner. Special awards were presented to community members who played key roles in the project’s completion, and the Rainier Beach High School Cheer Squad closed the program with performances.
The event underscored the new food hub’s significance for the community, providing access to nourishing food and vital resources.
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