A Huge Thanks from the Food Bank

— from the Orcas Island Food Bank Board —

All year long, many Island businesses and individuals hold events or have programs that benefit the Orcas Island Food Bank. Some examples: the Random Howse Food Bank Benefit in May and Kid’s Life Orcas Campus making Easter bags that were delivered to the children of families coming to the Food Bank in April. Toward the end of the year, the Food Bank officially launches its year-end fundraising and food drive that lasts through December.

Once again, the Salmonberry School kids did an amazing job of collecting and delivering more than 190 pounds of food for the Holidays. Orcas Island High School held a food drive competition between classes. Camp Orkila donated 375 pounds of food and produce, and the Island Market/IGA “Feed the Hungry” food bag donations will be delivered to the food bank later this month. The Orcas Island Sportsmen Club Turkey Shoot donated 20 turkeys for Holiday distribution.

Community members also found incredibly creative ways to gather food and cash donations. Here are a few:

• A Country Corner Holiday event raised food and cash fort he Food Bank and did 45 photos of Santa Orcas Island children and their families, and some pets.
• During the month of December, Pawki’s for Pets held a pet food drive and matched what was received…up to $500 worth of pet food was donated to assist Food Bank recipients in caring for their pets.
• The Sounder is donating $5 for every new one-year subscription and $10 for each new two-year subscription for the next several months.
• Many other business and organizations including Islanders Bank, Senior Center, Windermere and Rays’ Pharmacy and the Community Church regularly collect money and food items, and we’re sure there are more.
• And, there are numerous surprises by unknown contributors left in the donation box almost every day.

Jeannie Doty, Food Bank Facility Manager; and Maggie Kaplan, Volunteer Extraordinaire

Our Thanksgiving and Christmas groceries and turkey packages were distributed to more than 200 families, our Senior Outreach Program distributed several bags of groceries to those unable to visit the food bank during the Holidays, and the monetary donations we received as a result of our mail campaign was very gratifying.

Even though our recipient numbers have increased and continues to do so each year, we feel fortunate we are able to help the number of families that we do. Your generosity makes that possible. And, of course, we could not do this without our wonderful volunteers. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who gives so selflessly during our drives and continuously throughout the year.