Food Bank Kicks Off Fall Food Drive

Food Bank volunteers sort and prepare food items for distribution out of their new building recently opened on Madrona Street.

By Madie Murray

More than 300 pounds of food and $360 in monetary donations have been received as a result of the Food Bank food drive recently held at Island Market.  A huge thanks to everyone who participated.  It’s a wonderful start, but just the beginning.

“This summer, the average number of families using the Food Bank each week was 61.  The Bank anticipates that average increasing to close to 100 families per week, matching 2010 figures,” says Board President Larry Shaw.

Fall marks the time of the year when the Orcas Island Food bank begins to gear up for the anticipated increase in food needed because of colder weather and the approaching holidays when Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes are prepared.

The Food Bank is hoping to a see a food drive event happen every month.  If your group or organization would like to partner with the Food Bank and hold a food drive, contact them at 376-4445 for information about what is most urgently needed.

Other Ways to help

• Canned goods, shelf-sustainable foods, produce and breads may be left at any time in the bin on the left side of the new food bank building on Madrona Street next to the Community Church at any time.   There are also deposit stations at the Senior Center, Deer Harbor Post Office, Orcas Post Office and Key Bank.

•  Much needed dollar donations in the form of checks payable to the Orcas Island Food Bank may be mailed at any time to PO Box 424, Eastsound, WA 98245.

•  Volunteers are always precious to the Food Bank in so many ways.  Just call 376-5372 or 376-4445 and let them know you would like to help.

The Orcas Island Food Bank, established in 1984, is dedicated to assisting all Island families needing food without question, and it deeply thanks the community for its continuing generous support.