City announces food pantry hours change

The announcement comes after the pantry’s relocation.

By Reporter Staff • June 15, 2020 11:00 am
A map highlighting where pantry patrons should park to get assistance. Photo courtesy city of Mercer Island
A map highlighting where pantry patrons should park to get assistance. Photo courtesy city of Mercer Island

Mercer Island officials announced last week that as of June 12, the city food pantry would now just be open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

In the middle of March, the city closed the Luther Burbank Administrative Building, resulting in the food pantry’s relocation. Now, the resource can be found at the Community and Event Center (8236 Southeast 24th Street).

“Closing the Luther Burbank Administrative Building allows the city to conserve scarce cleaning and sanitizing supplies and relocating the food pantry allows for mandated social distancing for all patrons and staff,” the city explained on its website.

The pantry, operated by Mercer Island’s Youth and Family Services (MIYFS), is currently only offering grocery-store gift cards as a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The gift cards are for New Seasons and QFC.

The city on its website advises that clients of the pantry park in designated, marked parking spaces with their photo ID ready. After they park, MIYFS staff should meet them at their car.

For more information about the change, go to the city of Mercer Island’s website.

Those interested in donating $25 or $50 food cards can do so by using a new dropbox in the City Hall parking lot or mail them to MIYS (2040 84th Avenue Southeast), according to Mercer Island’s website.