The Central Districts Byrd Barr Place Expands Programming In A Renovated Historic Space
has served the Central District community since the 1960s. The organizations recent renovation of the historical building Firehouse No. 23 at 722 18th Ave is allowing them to return to the space with increased programming capacity, which includes food and energy and housing assistance as well as financial tools to more than 1,100 households every week.
While we were doing our renovations, our temporary locations were spread out, we had our Market working out of a location in Capitol Hill, and then all of our other programs and our administrative side working out of SoDo, Tafari Maynard, Byrd Barr Places director of operations, said. No longer having that distance makes everybody really happy and excited to get back together.
Were trying to lean away from the kind of food bank stigma where folks line up, they dont have options, Maynard said. We really wanted to make it so people had a place to lounge while they waited for access.
- After their recent renovation, Byrd Barr Place now offers a food bank called The Market, allowing clients to select the food items they want in a grocery-store-like setting. .
- After their recent renovation, Byrd Barr Place now offers a food bank called The Market, allowing clients to select the food items they want in a grocery-store-like setting. .
We had a team of high wealth individuals who came together to leverage their networks and their own dollars to ensure this was fully funded, Sanderson said.
How Byrd Barr Place Is Helping Support And Empower Lower
Anita Plater is one of countless Americans whose life was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just before March 2020, Plater was working in community transit and looking after her daughter. She had recently divorced her husband of 17 years and was hoping to start a new chapter in life.
But then COVID-19 hit and Plater was laid off. She quickly found herself struggling to keep up with her bills. Platers mother, who had already been sick for some time, passed away. So did several of Platers close friends, which left Plater feeling even more alone. She tried to put on a brave face for her daughter, but the pressure was overwhelming.
Everything was fine and then in the blink of an eye that changed, Plater said.
As the bills piled up, Platers sister Renee suggested she reach out to Byrd Barr Place, a community organization in Seattles Central District that provides services to those struggling with basic needs.
At first, Plater was skeptical. Shed reached out to other agencies without success. There was also pride. Admitting you need help can be difficult.
But the bills kept coming, and Renee kept pushing. Eventually, Plater gave in and filled out an application on Byrd Barrs website. She didnt expect to hear back: When shed reached out to other agencies, shed been met with nothing but radio silence.
I pretty much was on the verge of losing everything, Plater said.
More than basic needs
Hospitality and client choice
Plater was stunned.
Community Voices: A Conversation With Byrd Barr Place Food Bank
PCCs mission is to ensure that good food nourishes the communities it serves, while cultivating vibrant, local, organic food systems. Were proud to partner with organizations throughout the region and share their stories. Meredith Sibley and Brian Yeager of Byrd Barr Place recently spoke with Sound Consumer contributor Tara Austen Weaver about their food bank program and the role it has played in the Central District community since its founding in 1964.
Q:Tell us a little about the programs history.
A:Were a community action agencythat means were part of a larger network of community action agencies across Washington state the country. We have a shared common mission of alleviating poverty. Part of our technique is finding out from the community what the needs are and how they would be most helped. So, we design our services based on community feedback.
The food bank has been around for more than 30 years. Until very recently it was operated out of the fire station on 18th Avenue. Right now were operating out of a church community center in Capitol Hill while our building is being renovated.
Q:What makes your program unique?
The food bank is open three days a week and thats when people can come by and shop the grocery modelwe set up stalls and folks can pick the protein they want and how many vegetables they want and shop according to their dietary restrictions or what culturally appropriate food they desire.
Q:Whats next for the food bank program?
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New Look Byrd Barr Place Re
, The Seattle Medium
After a renovation project that took about a year and a half to complete, Byrd Barr Place has opened its doors with a new look and some innovative changes to the services that they provide to the community.
Located just off of 18th and Cherry in Seattles Central Area, Byrd Barr Place, formerly knows as the Central Area Motivation Program , has helped Black families and Central Area residents overcome racial restrictive covenants and discrimination since 1964.
As you enter the historic fire house building, there is a large community gathering room to your right and reception area immediately in front of you. The market, formerly known as the food bank, is also housed on the first floor and it too has an open, inviting, and spacious environment. The upstairs of the building houses the administrative offices and is very well-lit as the sun shines through its large windowpanes.
With its new look, Byrd Barr Place continues to serve the community through its programs like their energy assistance program, eviction prevention program and a financial literacy program to name of few.
Maynard believes that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and that this new approach will also define the mental space that their clients are in and help them get back on their feet a little sooner.