Households and Neighborhoods

Washington is following the Safe Start plan for measured reopening, and many Vashon islanders and groups are working on supporting island households and neighborhoods. Stay up to date here at VashonBePrepared.org or Facebook: VashonBePrepared.

Neighbors Organize

Neighborhood Emeregncy Response Organization Logo One way for island neighbors to stay connected is through VashonBePrepared’s Neighborhood Emergency Response Organizations, or NEROs. The island has more than 250 NEROs. These are informal groups of neighborhood residents, who join together to increase their readiness to manage comfortably and safely in emergencies and other challenging times.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the island’s NERO coordinator is providing weekly information to help the groups stay informed about important developments and resources.

Islanders who have not yet formed a NERO but would like to do so may to contact NERO Coordinator Vicky de Monterey Richoux at nero@vashonbeprepared.org.

Counseling Services

See our Mental Health page for a full listing of emergency and ongoing resources. 

Domestic Violence

Get support from Vashon’s DOVE Project. There are resources and advocacy for Vashon survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. More info at vashondoveproject.org or call/text 206-462-0911 or 206-940-6430. Or email DOVE

Grocery Shopping & Island Restaurants

Please practice social distancing while shopping for your safety and for other customers and especially the hardworking staff at our stores and restaurants. If it is too crowded, please wait outside or in your car until there are fewer shoppers.

Vashon Events is keeping an up-to-date listing of island restaurant hours and other information at https://www.vashonevents.org/togo.

Vashon Thriftway is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. The store offers an hour of shopping for customers over age 60 and those who are immunocompromised from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. every Wednesday. Please check their website for the most up-to-date information.

Thriftway also offers pick-up and delivery services:

  • Curbside pick-up is on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Place orders by 2 p.m. the previous day.
  • Deliveries are on Tuesday and Thursday for a $7 fee.
  • Check their website for info on a senior-only shopping period.
  • Orders, as specific as possible, may be emailed to orders@vashonthriftway.com or call 206-463-2100. Include name, phone number and address (for deliveries) or car description (for pick-up).

IGA Vashon Market is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and for seniors and other high-risk customers offers morning shopping daily between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Please call for the most up-to-date information: (206) 463-9725

  • IGA has online grocery shopping for pick-up every day and deliveries on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
  • Pick up orders: cost is $5 for purchases under $75 $7 for deliveries under $70; deliveries over $70 are free. 

Food Support

Vashon Food Bank

Vashon Maury Community Food Bank LogoThe Vashon Maury Community Food Bank, located at Sunrise Ridge behind the Neighborcare clinic, provides nutritious food to anyone and offers both delivery and pick-up programs.

New COVID-19 pick-up hours: Wednesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Customers fill out an order form to be packed by staff and volunteers.
  • Please fill out your order and wait in your car until the groceries are packed.
  • For those who arrive on foot, there is outdoor seating where customers can wait at an appropriate distance from one another.
  • Staff and volunteers packing bags follow stringent sanitation protocols.

Home delivery for anyone in need

  • Home delivery bags are packed from the same shopping list as pick-ups
  • Delivery to island homes happens on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • For more information about the food bank or to sign up for delivery, call 206-463-6332 or email admin@vashonfoodbank.org.

School Nutrition Program

The Vashon Island School District offers meals for any district students who need them. Those who are interested should complete the community survey so the district can plan for quantities. Information here

Families can access free breakfast and lunch for students via drop off or pick up:

  • VISD bus drivers will deliver meals to designated pick up locations around Vashon. See the route information and schedule to find the time and location of your nearest pick up.
  • Families may pick up a meal from the kitchen at Vashon High School between 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on scheduled school days. Please note at this time Washington State asks that students be present for meal pickup. This requirement may change in the future.
  • Adults may purchase meals at the high school or at the bus drop-off locations for $5. 

The Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness

The Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness  (IFCH) is now accepting applications for housing assistance for rent and utilities costs.  IFCH’s Community Meals program has now changed to a brown-bag grab-n-go process that provides food to anyone at 5:30 p.m. at the Methodist church Sundays through Thursdays.

Vashon Senior Center

The Vashon Senior Center delivers lunches on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to seniors who have requested meals. Isolated seniors may sign up by calling the Center at 206-463-5173, email lunch@vashoncenter.org or fill out the online form.

Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County coordinates services for older adults, family caregivers, veterans and people with disabilities in King County. Phone: 206-684-0660 or email: aginginfo@seattle.gov.

General Support

A Facebook page, Vashon COVID-19 Community Helpers, has been set up to match volunteers to folks in need. This group also shares information and resources to islanders navigating the pandemic.

Washington State has compiled a list of resources, from financial assistance to supporting children at home, for individuals and families during the pandemic.

Rental and Living Expenses Assistance

If unable to pay rent, first, contact your landlord. Washington State has issued a proclamation that no evictions can take place through June 4. If you need help with rent or to avoid eviction, see Washington State Department of Health and Human Services.

The Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness and Vashon Youth & Family Services can offer support, call 206-463-5511 or visit https://vyfs.org/resources for an extensive list of island resources.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Vashon

If you or a neighbor you know needs help with rent, utilities, food or other basic needs, leave a message in English or Spanish on our Help Hotline at 206.450.7577. 

You can support our work by sending a check to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, PO Box 308, Vashon, WA 98070. Thank you for helping of our neighbors in need.  https://stjohnvianneyvashon.com/st-vincent-de-paul

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