Food Bank to move to Orcas Community Church

Dave and Linda McPeake have operated the Orcas Island Food Bank for over 22 years, but now it’s time to move the operation from its location off Mt. Baker Road to a place where it can be open more often and serve more families.

Over the years, the McPeakes have served the community through the Food Bank by “stocking the shop,” picking up donations or shopping for seasonal items such as holiday turkeys, as well as manning the store when islanders can pick up needed food supplies.

The Orcas Island Food Bank was established about 25 years ago by the late Rev. Johnson West, of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. He started it with a couple of cans of soup in the basement of the church, Dave McPeake recalled.

By the time the McPeakes got involved, the food bank was located at Airport Center,  where it stayed until 11 years ago.

Ezekiel Barr, pictured at right,  said that when he first came to the island he “personally recognized the need” for the Food Bank.

Then he started volunteering nine years ago. “It’s a pleasure to pass out the abundance given to the Food Bank by the community,” Barr said. “My part is making it a pleasant experience as we help each other.”

Barr now helps regularly at the Food Bank, which will move to the Orcas Island Community Church, so that it may be open more than once a week.

Erin O’Dell, Family Support Specialist with the Orcas Family Connections organization, says that food bank use is up more than 40 percent from this time last year.