Join Our Gardening Team!
Do you have gardening experience? We need you on the APOYO gardening team!
We need help on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. Hours will vary based on needs and weather.
Reach out with questions or to sign up!
509-929-1512
Mission
“APOYO” means “support” in Spanish. It also stands for “Allied People Offering Year-Round Outreach.” Our mission is to empower by providing vital resources, advocacy, education and opportunities to build community. We share and celebrate the presence, histories, and cultures of im/migrants and Latinx people in Central Washington and beyond.
What we do
We have been at work in Central Washington since the mid-1990s. APOYO is widely known for its service as a food pantry and clothing bank where everyone is welcome. We provide nutritious, culturally-relevant food, meeting material and cultural needs. From the beginning, we have advocated for civil and political rights for disempowered people and im/migrants and helped people communicate with agencies, schools, and service providers. APOYO helped establish the Open Door free health care clinic and, working with community partners, we now sponsor vaccination clinics and health screenings. Our health and wellness programming includes an after-school sports program for youth. APOYO partners with Central Washington University to offer internships and unique educational opportunities. The APOYO Youth Empowerment Program offers engaging educational experiences, including internships, mentorships and job shadowing, as well as opportunities for political participation with a focus on racial justice. We organize cultural events and celebrations. Our work empowers and builds community! Learn more about our history and our team.
How You Can Help
Become a Volunteer
Join us to become part of a network strong enough to effect a positive change in the lives of the local Latinx community. We also welcome community service hours. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Make A Donation
Giving online has never been more secure, convenient, and hassle-free. We also accept in-person donations at our physical location: 1320 E. 18th Avenue. You can also mail a donation to P.O. Box 194, Ellensburg, WA 98926.
Sponsor APOYO Events and Projects
APOYO is seeking sponsors for events and projects year-round. Our projects and events serve our community’s needs and celebrate Latinx experiences and cultures.
CWU Students & Faculty
APOYO has partnered with CWU since 1998. We offer students internships and projects. Contact Professor Bernadette Jungbult, our board CWU Faculty Liaison, to learn more.
Please contact us about food donations. If you have garden surplus, we’d happily offer it at our food pantry!
Our Services
- Food pantry
- Community Closet
- Educational workshops
- Internships & other learning opportunities for students
- Amigos Atléticos – free after-school youth sports program for students grades 5-10
- Vaccine and health-screening clinics
- Translation assistance
- Youth Empowerment Program in Ellensburg
- Referrals to other resources.
APOYO’s direct services include nutritious, culturally relevant food and our Community Closet. We can also refer you to other organizations and agencies for further assistance. For more, please see our Services page.
Building Community
APOYO is building a Community Outreach Center as a safe space for our community to work together to meet material and cultural needs and to learn, celebrate, and thrive! We are in the initial stages of the project: fundraising, building design, and infrastructure installation in partnership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ellensburg Lodge 20.
Working Partnerships
Inatai Foundation
APOYO is grateful for the sustaining support of the Inatai Foundation. With their support, we have expanded our capacity to make APOYO a stronger by-for organization: by the people, for the people. We learn more every day about empowerment and organizational longevity with their guidance. Learn more about the Inatai Foundation.
WSDA
Partnering with the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) sustains our capacity to provide healthy food. The WSDA supports the viability and vitality of agriculture while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. APOYO participates in WSDA food assistance programs, one of which is the We Feed WA Pilot Food Program. Learn more about We Feed WA.
Northwest Harvest
APOYO has been a Northwest Harvest partner since our founding, and their support has always been crucial. Northwest Harvest partners with 375 food programs throughout Washington to create a Hunger Response Network. For more information, visit Northwest Harvest.
Kittitas County Health Network
APOYO is a member of the Leadership Council of the Kittitas County Health Network (KCHN). We work with KCHN to educate the community about health and wellness and collaborate to provide cost-free vaccine clinics and health screenings. Learn more about KCHN.
Kittitas County Public Health Department
Partnering with the Kittitas County Public Health Department, we host COVID-19 vaccination clinics at APOYO and provide healthcare supplies to APOYO members. Amigos Atléticos, our youth fitness club for students in grades 5-10, started with a KCPHD Covid-19 Health Equity Coalition grant. Visit KCPHD to learn more about them!
HopeSource
APOYO helps connect people to services through HopeSource. To address housing insecurity, we partnered with HopeSource as a subcontractor in the Washington State Department of Commerce Eviction Rental Assistance Program from December 2020 to March 2021. APOYO was awarded $27,830.25 to distribute to landlords. Learn more about HopeSource.
CWJFON
We have partnered with Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors to help people apply for immigrant relief funds. Learn more about CWJFON.
Others
Over the years, APOYO has partnered with other organizations to serve community needs as they arise. If your organization would like to propose a partnership, please contact us!
Voting Participation Information
Are you interested in the voting process in Kittitas County?
Watch this League of Women Voters (LWV) of Kittitas County video to learn about accessible voting options and how you can vote during elections. Turn your captions on to receive direct Spanish translation.
For additional information on voting, visit LWV of Kittitas County and LWV of Washington State.
Know Your Rights
All undocumented and documented immigrants in the United States have certain rights under the Constitution. Watch this Informed Immigrant video to learn about your rights and how your family can better prepare for an encounter with immigration law enforcement. Contact Informed Immigrant, Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors, Northwest Justice Project, or WashingtonLawHelp.org to get started finding legal assistance.
APOYO Food Bank
Ellensburg food distributions at
1320 E 18th Ave.
Wednesdays
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Saturdays
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Phone
Office (509) 201-1820
Food Services (509) 312-5427
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 194, Ellensburg, WA 98926-1911