Bridging a Gap joins MSC
June 17, 2026 | Food Access, News/Media
We are excited to announce that the Bridging a Gap Weekend Feeding Program is now joining the Multi-Service Center family of programs and services.
For 13 years, Bridging a Gap (BAG) has worked to address food insecurity among local students in Federal Way by providing nutritious weekend meals to children who may otherwise go without adequate food when school is not in session. Through this transition, the program will continue its important mission of feeding our community’s most food insecure students while benefiting from the resources, support, and community partnerships of Multi-Service Center (MSC).
“I am excited for this next chapter for BAG,” says founder and board member Valerie Danforth. “I cannot think of a better organization than MSC to carry forward the program’s mission.”
This partnership strengthens the shared commitment to ensuring that students and families in our community have access to the food and support they need to thrive, and is an important step to ensure long-term strength and sustainability of this work. Over the past 13 years, BAG has grown from a small volunteer effort around kitchen tables into a meaningful community program serving hundreds of students each week. Throughout that growth, our focus has remained the same: caring for children and families facing food insecurity. As of the end of the 2025/26 school year, we were providing 361 students per week with weekend bags of food. BAG is currently in 22 schools in the district and during the 2025/26 school year, provided 11,780 weekend food bags (47,120 meals).
Transitioning BAG to MSC is the next step, allowing the program to continue building on its mission with the support of an organization that brings strong infrastructure, experience, and a shared commitment to the community. This transfer helps ensure that the compassion, dedication, and hope at the heart of BAG will continue to serve families for years to come.
“MSC is honored to have been chosen to continue on the services and legacy of the BAG program. The alignment of our work fits beautifully with our existing food bank and food delivery services. it is our honor to carry on this essential service while growing the program to serve kids in the Federal Way community and beyond,” shares MSC CEO Kirsten York.
BAG volunteers and board members will remain an important part of this next chapter. The heart of BAG has always been the people who have shown up with generosity, compassion, and a deep commitment to children and families, and that spirit will continue through this transition to MSC. Volunteers will still have opportunities to serve through the bag-packing process, with community partners and individuals able to sign up and help at the MSC space much as they do now. Community members can maintain their support of this program through MSC and the Chopped Charity Challenge. BAG board members will continue to share their guidance and support in an advisory role, helping MSC carry the program forward. Their continued involvement will help preserve the relationships, knowledge, and sense of community that have made BAG so special.
Both BAG and MSC have tremendous gratitude for the volunteers, donors, schools, community partners, and supporters who have made the success of Bridging a Gap possible. This dedication has helped countless students receive essential nourishment and care. Current program services will continue with a focus on maintaining reliable food distribution and expanding opportunities to serve more children in need.
With this transition, we look forward to building on the existing strong foundation of this program and continuing to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children and families to ensure that no child goes hungry over the weekend.