FareStart's 30th Annual Gala

­After two years of virtual-only galas, we were excited to welcome back our community to the Seattle Convention Center on Sunday, November 6.  Online guests joined us in the live broadcast. Together we celebrated student transformations, new partnerships and the incredible strides made to increase food security in our communities. Together we raised over $1.9 million to support our work and mission.

There are many people to thank including our big-hearted donors and sponsors, hardworking staff and students, amazing volunteers, dedicated board of directors and passionate partners. We also thank the talented chefs and meal partners who created the evening's meals: Macrina Bakery, Taylor Shellfish, Elliot’s Oyster House, Chef Dre Neeley of Gravy, Chef Melissa Miranda of Musang, Chef Jose Chavez of The Seattle Convention Center, Chef Autumn Martin of Frankie and Jo’s and our very own FareStart chefs.

This evening would not have been possible with our generous sponsors: Amazon, Nayamode, Microsoft, BECU, Cornerstone Architectural Group, Boeing, Sysco, KPMG, Charlie's Produce, Baird, Alaska Airlines, MOD Pizza, Whole Foods Market, Symetra, Sellen Construction, Kaiser Permanente, Bargreen Ellingson, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Starbucks.

It was a night filled with many highlights and inspirational stories as FareStart celebrated its 30^th anniversary. Guests had the opportunity to check out the new community market truck as well as write notes that will accompany our hunger relief meals. Casey, a graduate of FareStart shared her story in a powerful video that received a standing ovation.  Another highlight of the event was when Chef Kristi Brown from Communion joined the hosts on stage to add a last-minute addition to the auction. You could feel the spirit of community in the room as everyone excitedly bid unsparingly.

It's that same spirit of community that CEO Angela Dunleavy referenced in her remarks. “It has been 1,125 days since we were last here together in person. And since then, the world has gone through a cataclysmic change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, our country has endured the collective trauma of blatant and violent racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and deep polarization. But in the past 1,125 days, we have also seen some of the greatest of humanity right here within FareStart. at FareStart we stand in solidarity with people from different backgrounds and perspectives who want to change their lives.”

The support of every single person in this community makes our work possible. Thank you for helping disrupt poverty so that FareStart can be a catalyst for change for our students and our communities facing hunger. Together, we are FareStart and we are 30 years strong.

If you missed the gala you can relive the memories by watching the live broadcast.

Live Broadcast