Wendy Ozanne

Feeding Hope: Wendy and Scott Bream’s Story of Service with Nourish

Posted on by Wendy Ozanne

In the quiet, tree-lined streets of Tacoma’s North End, Wendy and Scott Bream are a couple who don’t just talk about making a difference—they get in the truck and do it. Several times a month, you’ll find them on the road as part of the grocery rescue team for the Northwest Food Bank, a vital program of Nourish Pierce County. Their mission? To make sure good food doesn’t go to waste—and even more importantly, that it ends up in the hands of people who truly need it.

With practiced ease, they load up their truck with donations from local grocery stores like Safeway—food that’s nearing its sell-by date or surplus stock that would otherwise be discarded. Then they bring it back to the Northwest Food Bank, where it can be sorted, shelved, and shared with families facing food insecurity.

Their journey with Nourish began in 2021, but their story starts even earlier. “We had volunteered with FISH food banks when our kids were young,” Wendy recalls. “When the pandemic hit, it really opened our eyes to how deep the need was getting. We knew we had to do something.” That calling led them to reconnect with what had now become Nourish, and they’ve been showing up ever since.

It’s not just about the food—it’s about the people. “Meeting amazing people,” Wendy smiles, referring to the dedicated community of volunteers. “Nourish does a fantastic job making sure there’s always something productive to do. You really feel like your time matters.”

Scott agrees. “It’s such a small amount of effort for such a huge impact. You can literally see the difference you’re making. That’s powerful.”

To the Breams, Nourish is more than a food bank—it’s a statement of values. “There shouldn’t be food insecurity in a country like ours,” Wendy says firmly. “We have enough. We just need to make sure it’s getting to the right people.”

As we wrap up the celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Month, we are proud to recognize dedicated volunteers like Wendy and Scott. Our volunteers are the heart of everything we do at Nourish. Whether they are sorting food, greeting clients, rescuing groceries, or lending a hand wherever needed, they are the reason thousands of families are able to put food on the table. Their compassion, energy, and commitment inspire us every day.

Take a look at an interview with Wendy and Scott by clicking the video below! And if you’re ready to take the next step and start volunteering, we would love to have you join the Nourish team!

Message from the CEO – Urgent Need for Support

Posted on by Wendy Ozanne
Dear friends, supporters, and community members,

Federal food assistance exists to ensure that no one in America goes hungry. But recent cuts to USDA commodity food under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) will have devastating consequences for the thousands of food-insecure individuals who rely on Nourish Pierce County.  As a network that serves 67% of food-insecure individuals in Pierce County, Nourish depends on TEFAP to provide essential staples—dairy, canned goods, proteins, and grains—that form the foundation of the meals we distribute. These cuts mean fewer nutritious options for nearly 70,000 people we serve annually—half of whom are children and seniors.  

Without this critical federal support, we must stretch every donor dollar even further. But there is only so much we can do alone. That’s why we need your help—today.    

Here’s how you can take action right now: 
Advocate: Contact your elected officials and urge them to restore and strengthen funding for TEFAP. Your voice can make a real difference in protecting vital food assistance. 
Volunteer: Lend your time at one of our 21 distribution sites. Every helping hand makes it possible for us to meet the growing need in our community. 
Give: Make a monetary donation to help fill the gap left by federal cuts. Your gift ensures we can continue providing nutritious food to those who need it most.  

The impact of these cuts will be felt far beyond the food bank doors. Nourish’ s 21 distribution sites are more than just places to pick up food—they are lifelines. For working families, college students, veterans, and seniors on fixed incomes, this federal support is a critical safety net. When USDA food supplies shrink, the demand to replace this food shifts to local communities like ours. Our operating budget is entirely donor-funded, and while our community is incredibly generous, the scale of this challenge is simply too great to solve alone.    

The people we serve—working families, college students, military members, and seniors on fixed incomes—are already making tough sacrifices. Federal food assistance exists to ensure that no one in America goes hungry, yet these cuts will leave our most vulnerable neighbors with fewer options. Now is the time to strengthen, not weaken, programs like TEFAP that provide a critical safety net for those who need it the most.    

Please stand with Nourish and the people we serve. 

Together, we can ensure that no one in Pierce County goes hungry.  

With gratitude, 
Sue Potter
CEO, Nourish Pierce County

In Memory of Barb, Stephanie, and Jon

Posted on by Wendy Ozanne

At Edgewood Nourish Food Bank, our volunteers are more than just helpers—they are family. Whether they serve daily, weekly, or whenever they can, each person who walks through our doors quickly becomes part of something bigger. Over the years, we have celebrated life’s joys together—births, graduations, marriages—and supported one another through hardships. Recently, we have faced the heartbreaking loss of three beloved members of our food bank family. Their absence is felt deeply, and though they are no longer with us, their kindness and dedication continue to inspire us.

Barb Edmonds began volunteering in 2004 after retiring from her career as a schoolteacher. She immediately became a cornerstone of our food bank, volunteering four days a week with endless energy and passion. Barb led our prep shift and managed our produce section, ensuring that every piece of food we received was fresh and ready for our guests. She had a way of making hard work fun, bringing warmth, humor, and encouragement to everyone around her. A natural leader, she offered great ideas and always had a positive attitude. Her sudden passing on January 5, 2025, left us in shock, and not a day goes by that we don’t feel the void she left behind.

Stephanie Huddleston was a steady, constant presence in our food bank for nine years. She never missed a shift, always arrived early, and jumped right into work. She always remembered what was happening in our lives, asked about our families, and brought small gifts for holidays. We had hoped she would recover from her illness and return to us, but sadly, she passed in mid-February. Thursdays feel different without her, and we miss her deeply.

Jon Comen started volunteering in 2010 and continued until 2021, when his health no longer allowed him to. His heart was always with the food bank. He managed grocery pickups, delivered food to an affiliated food bank, and maintained excellent relationships with our partners. He even took care of our cargo van which was a tremendous help to me. But I think what he loved most was helping distribute Thanksgiving turkeys, making sure every family had something to celebrate. He helped raise money to buy the turkeys and was always there to pick them up. His kindness and dedication touched so many lives, and I am so glad we were able to experience his heart of gold.

Though they are gone, Barb, Stephanie, and Jon’s spirits live on in every act of service we continue in their honor.