Our Neighborly Needs program is being strategically modeled by Wasat’s Director of Stewardship &Sustainability, Rhamis Kent.

Neighborly Needs was conceived in 2019 and is committed to distributing free and culturally nourishing meals multiple times a week to communities across South Seattle neighborhoods that are facing food inaccessibility.

This program promotes economic stability for caterers & independently-owned restaurants (such as Musang & Wa Na Wari), removes barriers to nourishing food, and cultivates community around fresh and hot meals. The meals are served with dignity and is a rallying point for inviting youth, families, and individuals to the larger community for a sense of belonging and holistic wellness.

Since October of 2021, NN has partnered with FareStart in utilising surplus produce they've provided as the main ingredients for the prepared meals. The program has supplied 250 - 300 meals per week with a goal of increasing that number through the further development of capacity by partnering with local food producers (farmers & market gardeners), those with facilities allowing for value-added processing and preparation, in addition to logistics capability (storage, transport, etc.).

Samuel Chesneau

Wasat Co-Founder & Board Member, Samuel Chesneau shares what sacred service means to him.

Pivoting in a Pandemic

Samuel helped transition the pre-existing Neighborly Needs program in order to respond to the pandemic, and has since become a sustainable system for food justice.

Food Equity

Neighborly Needs was conceived in 2019 and is committed to distribute free and culturally nourishing meals multiple times a week to communities across South Seattle neighborhoods that are facing food inaccessibility.

*Special shoutout to Chef Tarik Abdullah of @feedthepeopleseattle who is also featured in the video above and is a frequent collaborator who provides weekly meals to NN. Give a gift of Love and Service to sustain #NeighborlyNeeds​ in fighting food insecurity. Thank You!