My name is Sarah Chan, and I am the founder and executive director of PNW Plateful. I am the person and energy behind this organization, passionately dedicated to combating food insecurity in our community.

Through my business, Calypso Kitchen, I have been bringing my grandmother’s cherished recipes, vibrant spices, and rich flavors from Trinidad to Whatcom County. These culinary traditions have not only nourished local appetites but also inspired a deeper mission to help those in need.

In the summer of 2019, driven by a deep-rooted passion for helping others, I launched PNW Plateful. We began by distributing 150 individually packaged meals each week. By 2020, we increased our efforts to provide 250 meals weekly, ensuring that more homeless and hungry families in the community received the nourishment they desperately needed.

With the support of an energized board of directors, PNW Plateful achieved nonprofit status in 2022, enabling us to expand our reach and impact. Today, we proudly provide 800 individually packaged meals each week, supporting eight food banks and partner organizations committed to combating food injustice. We collaborate with incredible local partners, including the Bellingham Food Bank, Kendall Food Bank, Nooksack Food Bank, Lummi Food Bank, the YWCA, and Birchwood Food Desert Fighters, to ensure that as many individuals and families as possible have access to nutritious meals.

While we have made significant strides in increasing meal distribution and reaching more members of the community, the need continues to outpace our available resources. Food insecurity is a growing challenge, underscoring the essential role PNW Plateful plays in fostering community resilience and advancing food justice. My unwavering commitment to this mission continues to inspire a dedicated network of supporters who contribute their time, skills, and resources to sustain and expand our vital work. Together, we strive to ensure that no one in our community faces hunger alone.

PNW Plateful remains steadfast in its mission. Although the number of meals provided has grown significantly, the work is far from done. The increasing need in our community serves as both a reminder of the challenges ahead and a call to action for greater support and collaboration.