Multi-Service Center has been a part of Jenny Hulse’s life for so long that when asked how she was first introduced to MSC, it was difficult for her to pinpoint an exact time. “It might have been through a diaper drive at my kids’ elementary school years ago.”
Shortly after, Jenny began bringing fresh produce from a school garden to MSC’s Food Bank. She felt that donating fresh produce was a great way to give back to her community and to ensure that the produce went to the people who truly needed it the most. Jenny and her husband started attending MSC’s fundraising events and became regular donors supporting MSC programs.
Jenny’s father-in-law, Dennis Hulse, supported MSC, and served on MSC’s Board of Directors for 15 years. A resident of Federal Way since 1977, Dennis was an active member of the community and committed to serving others. He shared this belief with his family, and after Dennis passed away in August 2021, his family has continued their support of MSC and other community organizations.
When Jenny saw a need for volunteers at MSC’s food bank the fall after Dennis passed away, she felt that the call was coming from her father-in-law. She signed up to be a volunteer in MSC’s Food Bank. By volunteering in the food bank, Jenny is able to see firsthand the difference that MSC can make in someone’s life. “What the food bank is doing is important,” Jenny says, “we get to fulfill people’s needs with dignity.”
Jenny plans to continue to volunteer with and support MSC because the need and benefit are very clear to her. During the COVID pandemic the number of people coming to MSC’s food bank to get their needs met has risen by 11%. Just in February of this year, MSC’s food bank served Federal Way residents 202,773 pounds of food, or 168,978 meals.
“Feeding the hungry with dignity is what we strive for. Jennifer has embraced that from the first day she showed up to volunteer at our food bank,” Food Bank Director Dan Lancaster says. “Whenever Jennifer volunteers you can see the commitment to serve in her actions.”
As the need for MSC continues to grow so does MSC’s need for community support. “There is no contribution too small,” Jenny says, “if you can show up at all, your time would be valuable.
