Congratulations to our Q4 Good Neighbor, Tom Bernard!

Dozens of dedicated volunteers. Grocery pick-ups and deliveries to over 1,500 households each week. Our Q4 Good Neighbor Tom Bernard, REALTOR® at Windermere Real Estate in Ballard, emphasizes that consistency is key to provide hope to our neighbors.

Each week, you can find Tom and many other Ballard Food Bank volunteers driving trucks around Ballard to retrieve groceries from neighborhood grocery stores. These foods are then sorted out by volunteers and delivered to neighbors in Northwest Seattle, Magnolia, and Queen Anne.

Tom has been a passionate, hands-on volunteer for the Ballard Food Bank for 13 years and not only does he pick up and deliver groceries, but he is also a financial donor and serves as a Director on their Board.

“Our motto is ‘we bring food and hope to our neighbors because there CAN be enough for everyone’ and it is incumbent upon all of us fortunate enough to have enough to support those who don’t,” said Tom. “There are dozens of volunteers at the Ballard Food Bank who believes in this philosophy, as well as hundreds, maybe even thousands, that provide us financial support.”

After raising $13.9 million, the Ballard Food Bank was able to start construction on their first-owned facility on Leary Way that just opened last month. It now has greater capacity to sort and store foods, and more community space for neighbors to share food and conversations. Now, Tom and all volunteers at their new Ballard Food Bank continue to dedicate their time to feed more communities, including Licton Springs and Bitter Lake.

Rendering from the Ballard Food Bank

“The Good Neighbor Award committee is pleased to present the Q4 SKCR Good Neighbor Award to Tom Bernard,” said Caitlin Olsen, Good Neighbor Award Committee Chair. “This award recognizes his consistency and passion to help feed our neighbors in our communities.”

Today, Tom and the dedicated volunteers at the Ballard Food Bank welcomes all neighbors to their new location – a place they call a “Hub for Hope” – for resources and food, including warm soup served at the site.

“It’s good for the soul,” said Tom. “The Ballard Food Bank is an extremely important place to me and to the greater northwest Seattle community. I’ve seen lives changed and hope sustained, not only for our clients but for all the volunteers and donors associated with it.”