As PCC opens new locations, the press release states, each store partners with a local food bank to extend food access within the communities served. Last year, as PCC planned for this location, the co-op found that COVID-19 was disrupting traditional food access operations, increasing the need for emergency food services.
In an effort to begin immediately supporting the area, PCC is also announcing a new Downtown Seattle Food Access Grant, offering five $5,000 grants to nonprofits focused on food access. The co-op will begin accepting applications on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, and the grants will be awarded later this summer. More details about the program, including how to apply,can be found here.
Related: PCC Community Markets Shares 2020 Giving Efforts 2020 Food Co-Op Impact Report Demonstrates Importance of “Local” During COVID-19 PCC Gives More Than 60% of Profits Back To Community
“The pandemic has hit our Downtown community particularly hard," said Rachel Smith, President and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. “PCC has a rich tradition of supporting our Seattle neighborhoods with their food access programs and the new Downtown Seattle Food Access Grant comes at a pivotal time to help serve our community."Downtown Seattle Association President and CEO Jon Scholes added: “While we were excited for PCC to join the Downtown community this year, we appreciate the co-op being forthright with this announcement and look forward to the eventual opening. We recognize the challenges posed to all businesses at this time and value PCC stepping up to support downtown through the newly created grant program this year.”
PCC’s Downtown Seattle store will occupy 20,000 square feet in Wright Runstad’s Rainier Square project. The store will serve the Downtown, Belltown, West Edge, Pioneer Square, and First Hill neighborhoods. It will bring around 100 new union jobs to the community.
“PCC is committed to helping build back a vibrant and healthy Downtown,” said PCC CEO and President, Suzy Monford. “When Downtown PCC opens in 2022, it will bring the neighborhood local, organic and sustainably sourced food. But we know that it is critical to address the growing food insecurity in our community now, and we are excited to offer our new food access grant program to support our Downtown neighbors. We greatly appreciate the ongoing support from Wright Runstad & Company and we remain optimistic about the future of Seattle.”
