Jimothy the Raccoon Inspires $58,000+ of Corporate and Community Giving for Seattle Food Bank

Seattle-born raccoon Jimothy, noted for his unusually round shape caused by a rare spinal condition, became an internet sensation in early July 2024. Seattle artist Ryan Henry Ward leveraged the animal’s fame by creating an original painting of Jimothy and announcing an online auction on July 18. The artwork was intended to benefit Ballard Food Bank, a nonprofit that has served Seattle families since the 1970s through a “grocery store” model offering free produce, canned goods, hygiene products, pet food and other essentials.

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The auction attracted a single high bid of $6,543.21 from local resident Angela Galdabini, which Ward donated to Ballard Food Bank within 24 hours. Shortly after, several Pacific-Northwest companies pledged to match the amount dollar-for-dollar, including Amazon, T-Mobile, Alaska Airlines, Brooks Running, Starbucks, Stanley, Microsoft and the Seattle Mariners. Ward reported on July 23 that the cumulative total had already surpassed $50,000. The following day, Gypsy Walukones, senior communications manager for Ballard Food Bank, confirmed that pledges alone had pushed the total over $58,000.

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Walukones explained that Ballard Food Bank serves over 10,500 households each month and that the new funds will help sustain its Kindness Café, which prepares an average of 1,000 meals per day, as well as expand distribution of nutritious groceries, hygiene supplies, pet food, and financial assistance for rent and utilities. She highlighted the community’s role, noting that many donors contribute even without winning the auction.

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• “Thanks to an awesome auction winner and to the power of community and in gratitude to Jimothy, Ballard Food Bank has received their donation and the world is a little better,” — Ryan Henry Ward

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• “We can’t issue Jimothy a boarding pass,” — Alaska Airlines

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• “So far, we’ve had pledges from Amazon, T-Mobile, Alaska Airlines, Brooks Running, Starbucks, Stanley, Microsoft, and the Seattle Mariners to match the donation, and some of those funds are starting to come through,” — Gypsy Walukones

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These remarks underscore the collaborative spirit that turned a whimsical internet meme into a tangible boost for food-insecure Seattle residents.

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