Alimentando al Pueblo is a Burien based nonprofit founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as a Community and Cultural building organization. Our programs are rooted in a power sharing model with a goal to develop leadership within our Community. We serve the Latine and Pueblos Originarios populations of South King County, WA.
Together, we source and distribute cultural foods, organize celebrations that promote social connections and healing, and center Latinx art and traditions in every aspect of our work to cultivate joy, pride, and cultural preservation.
5 mujeres and a 6-partner collaborative in response to the pandemic. The 5 mujeres: Azucena Seijas, Hilda Pardo, Patricia Palomino, Roxana Pardo Garcia, and Sandra Simarra. All these women are residents that live in the Highline service area and know the importance of serving the Communities we live in. The collaborative: Colectiva Legal del Pueblo, Para los Niños, La Roxay Productions, Lake Burien Presbyterian Church and White Center Community Development Association.
The first phase of Alimentando al Pueblo. 450 boxes of non-perishable box items and produce boxes were shared with the Community – in 6 weeks we served 242 families.
One distribution of 100 boxes, served 100 families
King County grants Alimentando al Pueblo $270,000 to do the following
Roxana Pardo Garcia aka La Roxay is a self-identifying Hood Intellectual Xingona who was born and raised on occupied Coast Salish Territory. Roxana is the Certified Xingona, Founder, and Cultural Worker of two small businesses, La Roxay Productions and Hood Intellectual Xingona. She is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Alimentando al Pueblo, a nonprofit that won a 2022 MOHAI Everyday Hero Award. She is a graduate of Highline High School, the University of Washington, and forever a student of these streets and life. She was named one of Seattle Times 2020 Local Heroes, 2021 Burien Citizen of the Year and a Seattle Kraken Hero of the Deep.
Roxana attended the University of Washington where she received her BA in American Ethnic Studies. While a student Roxana was an active part of MEChA, where many campaigns were fought for – and won – that centered the histories and experiences of Black, Indigenous, Students of color. Roxana graduated from UW being the first in her family to do so.
Her 10+ years of Community involvement and organizing, include being a youth worker – specializing in working with Black, Indigenous, Youth of color, a community engagement expert, mentor, and a spirited South King County advocate. Roxana is an experienced public speaker, event planner, presenter, event MC, facilitator, truth teller, and professional chismosa.
Roxana uses indigenous knowledge and her genetic memories to do work that will allow people to live with dignity, respect, self and collective determination – because we know, nothing will liberate the hood, but the hood itself.
Raquel Gomez was born and raised Seattle! She is the Social Impact Manager at Seattle Credit Union, formerly with BECU, and for the past 6 years she has worked with her team to assist her community in achieving their financial goals and dreams. Raquel is one of the Founders of BECU’s Latinx Employee Resource Group and currently holds the title of Cultural Awareness Lead.
When they’re not at work, you can find Raquel actively volunteering within her community, spending time with her family and/or at the Sounders games!
Enrique Gonzalez is a Racial Equity Planner for King County Hazardous Waste who has been a social justice advocate for many years. He has worked at the Seattle Office of Police Accountability as a Community Engagement Specialist where he focused on developing relationships with community members and facilitated access to the police accountability process. Before that he worked as a Community Advocate and Commissioner on the Seattle Community Police Commission. Enrique traces his roots to the peaceful occupation of El Centro de la Raza, an organization dedicated to race and social justice through advocacy and programing, which his grandmother and father were a part of and where he grew up and worked for 11 years.
Enrique has a degree in American Ethnic Studies (Chicano Studies) from the University of Washington and he speaks Spanish fluently. He also grew up training in Hung Gar Kung Fu which he continues to practice. In his spare time, he enjoys working on his car which he takes to the track from time to time.
Guillermo Madera Perez (He/Him) is originally from the rural town of Prosser in Washington’s Yakima Valley. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Public Health in 2019. Afterwards, he went on to work at Sea Mar Community Health Centers, leading their events and fundraising for their charity programs benefiting low-income and marginalized communities in Washington State.
He’s currently the Development Manager at the American Lung Association, where he’s also on their Diversity Council, providing support in the education of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across the organization. Guillermo is excited to apply his expertise to support Alimentando Al Pueblo’s mission and enhance the well-being of the community.
Outside of his professional life, Guillermo is an avid volunteer, fitness enthusiast, amateur chef, and outdoor adventurer. He recently climbed the summit of Loowit (Mt. St. Helens) and is eager to embark on his next mountain challenge.
Spanish Translation
Guillermo Madera Pérez (Él) es originario del pueblo rural de Prosser en el Valle de Yakima, Washington. Se graduó de la Universidad de Washington con un título en Salud Pública en 2019. Posteriormente, trabajó en Sea Mar Community Health Centers, liderando eventos y recaudación de fondos para sus programas benéficos en favor de comunidades de bajos ingresos y marginadas en el estado de Washington.
Actualmente, es el Gerente de Desarrollo en la Asociación Americana del Pulmón, donde también forma parte de su Consejo de Diversidad, proporcionando apoyo en la educación sobre Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión en toda la organización. Guillermo está emocionado de aplicar su experiencia para apoyar la misión de Alimentando Al Pueblo y mejorar el bienestar de la comunidad.
Fuera de su vida profesional, Guillermo es un voluntario entusiasta, amante del fitness, chef aficionado y aventurero al aire libre. Recientemente escaló la cumbre de Loowit (Mt. St. Helens) y está ansioso por emprender su próximo desafío montañés.
Jasmine grew up in Portland, OR, moved to California and then Arizona for school, and then returned to the PNW for her first job, based in Redmond. After having two kids during the pandemic, she moved back to Portland to be closer to family and now works remotely on Augmented Reality glasses.
Laura (she/they) was born and raised on the traditional unceded lands of the Pomo in the Yokoyo Valley in Northern California. The first born daughter of displaced folks from Michoacán and Guanajuato she is also the first in her family to earn a 4 year degree. She has worked in the nonprofit sphere for the last six years and is excited to join AAP as her first board. In her free time she enjoys spending time in nature, gardening, sewing, astrology and karaoke.
