Sammamish man launches nonprofit to aid Washington’s starving children
December 1, 2008
By Ari Cetron
Eirik Olsen is the kind of person who takes action. So, when he realized the vast numbers of hungry
Eirik Olsen, through his Feed Washington program, is using small donations to make big progress in feeding hungry children. Contributed
children in Washington state, he didn’t just make a donation; he started a nonprofit organization to help get money to the right people.
Getting food into the bellies of poor children, he said, is a goal within reach.
“We don’t have to cure anything. We don’t have to do research. We just have to get the money out there,” he said.
Olsen’s charity, Feed Washington, strives to do just that. Those who know Olsen said they are not surprised at what he did.
“Instead of just donating, he came up with an idea,” said Dan Brown, a friend who has known Olsen for 19 years. “He’s the guy that makes it happen.”Olsen, who lives near Pine Lake, had spent years as a member of the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs. While there, he noticed that hunger seemed to be a common problem among many youths.
And the problem is growing. More than 30 million Americans — about 9.8 percent of the population — are using food stamps this month, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Olsen said he realized that children with grumbling stomachs are going to have a harder time concentrating on ways to deal with other issues they may face.
He also noticed that with the Boys & Girls Clubs, as with many nonprofits, the group has to start its fundraising from scratch every year.
So, when he started Feed Washington, he decided on a new business model.
“Let’s just try to create this ever-increasing revenue stream,” he said.
The plan is fairly simple. Mathematically, if he could collect $1 a month from Washington citizens who aren’t hungry, he would have enough to feed those who are hungry. While he’s happy to accept larger donations, and averages $10 a month, the goal is something small.
“What amount won’t you notice?” he asked.
He is, of course, happy to accept one-time donations as well, and all donations are tax-deductible.
He has created some believers. Sarah Barrick, Olsen’s nanny, who recently moved from Issaquah to West Seattle, said she is able to make a donation regularly.
“I don’t have a huge income, but I believe a little bit can make a difference,” she said.
Olsen’s charity helps leverage the money he gets. Feed Washington doesn’t actually operate any food banks; in fact, it’s a one-man show.
Olsen is the only employee and he doesn’t take any money for his time. The only portion of donations that doesn’t go to feeding children is the amount needed to cover credit card processing costs, he said.
Otherwise, he distributes the funds to other charities across the state that are able to get a good return on the money they use.
Most of the operations he deals with are able to generate more than three meals for $1.
“All the professionals who are really good at it and really try can do that,” he said. “Kick me a dollar or $5 a month, and look what we can do.”
Olsen’s plan makes Brown, for one, feel his money is better spent there.
“I feel like I get $1.25 out of my dollar,” he said.
Get involved
Learn more about Feed Washington or donate at www.feedwashington.org.
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