Seeds of Support: Nurturing Community in North Central Washington

Across North Central Washington, big smiles and full bellies are a testament to the positive impact of the Confluence Health and Wenatchee Valley Medical Group Community Health Partnership Fund. This month, we caught up with some local food pantries that received Community Health Partnership Fund grants in 2025 that enabled them to enhance their services and better nourish our local communities.

The Tonasket Food Pantry rose to meet the growing demand for food in their region, ensuring that no neighbor went hungry. In an update, Diana Weddle from the Tonasket Food Pantry stated, “During the month of November, our client numbers had increased from the usual count of 175 families per week to a high of 352 families…at the same time, our local food deliveries, both state and federal, were decreasing by about half.” Thanks to support from donors like Confluence Health and the Wenatchee Valley Medical Group, the Tonasket Food Pantry was able to keep well-stocked shelves and open doors.

Meanwhile, excitement is blooming at the Okanogan County Community Action Council. With their grant funds, the Council is preparing to launch a community garden this spring, complete with sturdy new fencing to keep wildlife out. Stasia Hazelwood, Nutrition Programs Manager for the organization shared, “Excitement around the Community Garden project is spreading across the county, with several communities reaching out to express interest in establishing gardens in their towns. Thanks to the generous support of the Community Health Partnership Fund grant, this momentum is helping make these community-driven ideas a reality.” Soon, fresh produce, hands-on learning, and a safe space for all will be available, fostering meaningful connections between people and their food—and with each other.

Finally, the Cashmere Food Bank provided 2,833 households in North Central Washington with food boxes in 2025. They used the Community Health Partnership Fund grant to purchase supplemental items and maintain distribution quality. “The Cashmere Food Bank is grateful for this investment in our financial stability, which allows us to continue our focus on providing reliable, respectful service to households throughout our area,” said Cynthia Moscoso, a board member with Cashmere Food Bank. “Cashmere Food Bank will continue to brainstorm meaningful ways to contribute to a healthy community, strengthening connection to our peoples and developing partnerships with our local community of food suppliers, producers and growers, orchardists, CSA and small farms, and farmers markets.”

And this is just the beginning. Many other remarkable nonprofits have also received Community Health Partnership Fund grants and are working tirelessly to uplift their communities. It’s incredible what happens when people come together to support one another. Thanks to the Community Health Partnership Fund, local organizations can make an even bigger impact on the lives of so many in our region.