Sunrise Food Bank supplies growing need

Almost 4,000 people live in the 98257 zip code. In October 1,500 people brought food home from the La Conner Sunrise Food Bank. Michelle Havist, the Food Bank’s director, told 30 Soroptimists that at their Nov. 13 meeting at the Swinomish Yacht Club. She shared grocery bags of details.

In October there were 33 first time users among the 413 households served. Forty-six were infants, 505 children aged three to 18, 685 adults and 264 seniors 55 and over supplemented their groceries with food bank donations.

Havist told the group, “we pride ourselves in providing a warm, inviting and safe place for our clients to shop for the food they need. “

Participants are not asked for identification or income verification. No one is turned away.

“Our clients are zero- to low-income households, disabled individuals, the elderly and the homeless,” she said. The number of clients who needed supplemental food amazed her when she started as a volunteer.

Havist gave a soup to nuts summary of the operations to her audience. As much as 2,200 lbs. of food is stocked weekly.

Monday distribution requires volunteers from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., with people “shopping” from 2-3 and 5-6 p.m.

The 33 weekly volunteers start with food prep, and continue with filling home delivery boxes, receiving the weekly food and setting up and staffing the “store” for shopping clients, The last shift cleans up and preps for the next week.

Havist stressed that “The Food Bank could not survive without the dedication and support of our volunteers. I’m so grateful for what each and every one of them bring.”

A variety of non-profit and government sources provide food. Costco and Pioneer Market contribute. Pioneer Market’s donation is about 100 pounds, mostly milk through their give-a-gallon promotion.

During the growing season, local farmers donate some 200 pounds of fresh produce and fruit weekly.

Area groups conduct food drives. La Conner elementary and middle schoolers are finishing a food drive Nov. 20.

Financial donations help the most: $25 buys 175 lbs. of food, feeding 16 people, Havist said. Buying food provides flexibility balancing and choices not available through donor suppliers.

Soroptimist members brought food items to the meeting for the Food Bank and the chapter is making a cash donation.

Havist was hired to replace longtime volunteer director Susan Widdop.