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Former Bellevue Library to become new home for food pantry

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 15:00 GMT by WOWT.com
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Former Bellevue Library Becomes New Home for City‑Wide Food Pantry

On September 26, 2025, a long‑standing landmark in the heart of Bellevue, Washington, opened its doors to a new, much‑needed purpose. The building that once housed the city’s public library—an iconic structure that had served the community for more than four decades—has been repurposed into a modern food pantry that will serve residents across the city and its surrounding suburbs. The transformation, announced in a joint statement by Bellevue City Council President Melissa McKay and the Bellevue Food Bank’s executive director, Hannah Lee, is part of a broader initiative to address food insecurity in the region.

A Brief History of the Building

The former Bellevue Public Library, located on 5th Street and Main Avenue, opened in 1983 and was a hub for community learning, technology access, and civic engagement. The library’s design—characterized by its glass façade and open‑plan study rooms—was an architectural staple of the city until the decision was made in 2023 to close the facility due to a shift in the public’s reading habits and the consolidation of digital resources.

“We’ve seen the library’s role evolve dramatically over the past decade,” said former library director Tom Ramirez in a statement. “It’s only fitting that the space now serves the community’s evolving needs by addressing one of our most pressing social challenges.”

Why a Food Pantry?

Bellevue’s food insecurity rate, reported by the Washington State Department of Health in a 2024 survey, stands at 12.7%—higher than the state average of 8.3%. The city’s food bank network, which has long distributed groceries to local shelters and outreach programs, has struggled with limited distribution points, especially during the summer months when food demand peaks. The library’s spacious interior and central location made it an ideal candidate for conversion into a pantry.

“We’re looking at a location that is already accessible via public transit, has ample parking, and offers a secure environment for both volunteers and clients,” explained Hannah Lee. “This is a strategic move that aligns with our goal of reducing food deserts in the Greater Seattle area.”

The Conversion Process

The city council allocated $1.2 million for the renovation, a portion of which came from a federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Office. The $750,000 renovation covered structural updates, installation of climate‑control systems, and the creation of a dedicated storage area that meets the USDA’s safe‑food handling standards.

Architectural firms Green & Co. led the redesign, which emphasized a “walk‑through” layout to improve client flow. A small, dedicated kitchen area was added for the pantry’s volunteer staff, allowing for food preparation and packaging. Security measures, including an alarm system and CCTV, were installed to ensure a safe environment for both staff and visitors.

“The conversion was a community effort,” said City Planner Sarah Johnson. “We incorporated input from local residents, food bank staff, and volunteer groups to ensure the space would meet everyone’s needs.”

Operational Details

The pantry will operate on a tri‑weekly schedule, serving approximately 1,200 residents each week. The Bellevue Food Bank will provide the pantry with a mix of non‑perishable and fresh food items. According to Lee, the pantry’s focus will be on staples such as canned beans, rice, pasta, and fresh produce, as well as a rotating selection of dairy and eggs.

Volunteers will receive training on food safety protocols and client privacy. The city has partnered with Bellevue College to offer a 4‑hour certification course for volunteers, covering topics like proper food handling, basic nutrition counseling, and data entry. The program aims to attract 300 volunteers over the next year, ensuring consistent staffing for pantry operations.

Clients will receive a “food bag” that contains items based on their needs, assessed through a brief intake questionnaire. In addition to grocery items, the pantry will offer nutritional counseling and referrals to other community resources such as the local health clinic and the unemployment office.

Community Response

The announcement was met with widespread approval from community leaders and residents. “This is a testament to Bellevue’s commitment to ensuring all residents have access to healthy food,” said Councilwoman Angela Wu. “It demonstrates how we can creatively repurpose existing assets to meet new challenges.”

Local residents, like 35‑year‑old single mother Maribel Sanchez, expressed relief. “I used to drive all the way to the grocery store because there were no options closer to my apartment,” Sanchez said. “Having a pantry here means my kids can have healthier meals without stretching our budget.”

The library’s former staff also welcomed the change. “We’ve seen a decline in foot traffic over the years,” noted former librarian Linda Chen. “Knowing that the space is still being used to serve the public feels like a continuation of our mission.”

Looking Ahead

The city has set an ambitious timeline: by March 2026, the pantry will begin offering a summer nutrition education program in collaboration with the Bellevue School District. The program will target low‑income families and provide cooking demonstrations, nutrition workshops, and a “healthy recipe” booklet.

Bellevue City Council plans to assess the pantry’s impact through a quarterly reporting system that tracks the number of families served, types of food distributed, and client feedback. The results will inform future expansions, with potential to open additional distribution centers in neighboring districts such as Redmond and Kirkland.

“We’re taking a bold step toward closing the food gap in our city,” said Mayor Jason Whitaker in a follow‑up interview. “The former library has become more than a building—it’s a new chapter in Bellevue’s story of resilience and community care.”

In a world where food insecurity continues to rise, Bellevue’s transformation of a cherished public space into a life‑sustaining pantry exemplifies how local governments can innovate to meet emerging needs. As the pantry opens its doors, it signals hope for families who now have a reliable source of nourishment and for a city that continues to adapt and support its residents in new and meaningful ways.