Community Outreach Center

APOYO is building community!

Mission
We have been at work in central Washington since the mid-1990s. “APOYO” means “support” in Spanish. It also stands for “Allied People Offering Year-Round Outreach.” Our mission is to help anyone who needs it, however we can. We promote community cooperation, provide outreach and advocacy to Latinx communities, act as a liaison between Latinx communities and private and governmental organizations, and help empower Latinx communities to promote, celebrate and honor their diverse cultures and histories in Central Washington and beyond.
About Us
APOYO is known for its service as a food pantry and clothing bank where everyone is welcome. We provide healthy, culturally-relevant food. We also empower people by connecting them with essential services for such things as housing, health care, education, and childcare. We can help people with English and Spanish translation. We can help families communicate with health care providers and teachers. We can help people find legal assistance. Find out more about our history and our team.
How You Can Help
Make A Donation
Giving online has never been more secure, convenient, and hassle-free. We also accept in person donations of cash or check at our physical location: 1320 E. 18th Avenue. Or you can mail a donation to P.O. Box 194, Ellensburg, WA 98926.
Become a Volunteer
Join with us to become part of a network strong enough to affect a positive change in the lives of the local Latinx community. Or if you need community service hours please feel free to contact us for more information.
CWU Students & Faculty
APOYO has partnered with CWU since 1998. We give students opportunities for internships and projects. To learn more, contact Dr. Hope Amason, APOYO’s Academic Connections Team leader, at hope.amason@cwu.edu.
Please contact us about food donations. Have garden surplus? We’d be happy to offer it at our food pantry!
Our Services
- Food Pantry
- Clothing Bank
- Educational workshops
- Free Youth Sports and Fitness Club for students grades 6-10
- Translation Assistance
- Referrals to Other Resources
Building Community
APOYO is building a community outreach center! We are in the early stages of the project: fundraising, building design, and infrastructure installation in partnership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ellensburg Lodge 20.
APOYO’s community outreach center will house our food pantry operations and be a space for our community to gather and thrive!
Working Partnerships

WSDA, We Feed WA
Partnering with Washington State Department of Agriculture, we can increase our certainty of food distributions. WSDA’s vision is to contribute to the state’s people’s health, environment, and economy. For more information, visit WSDA We Feed WA
Northwest Harvest
APOYO has been a Northwest Harvest partner since our founding. 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. We work with KCHN to educate the community about health and wellness.

Kittitas County Public Health Department
Partnering with the Kittitas County Public Health Department, we host Covid-19 vaccination clinics at APOYO and provide health care supplies to APOYO members. Amigos Atléticos, our youth fitness club for students in grades 6-10 is funded by a KCPHD Covid-19 Health Equity Coalition grant.
HopeSource
APOYO helps get people connected to services through HopeSource. To address housing insecurity, we partnered with HopeSource December 2020 to March 2021 as a sub-contractor in the Washington State Department of Commerce Eviction Rental Assistance Program. APOYO was awarded $27,830.25 to distribute to landlords.
CWJFON
We have partnered with Central Washington Justice for Our Neighbors to help people apply for immigrant relief funds.
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!
Know Your Rights
All immigrants, undocumented and documented, in the United States have certain rights under the Constitution. Learn about your rights and how your family can better prepare for an encounter with immigration law enforcement.
APOYO Food Bank
Food distributions at
1320 E 18th Ave., Ellensburg
Wednesday distribution
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday distribution
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Phone
509-201-1820
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 194, Ellensburg, WA 98926-1911