Bellingham Food Bank: Feeding Our Community, One Meal at a Time

The Bellingham Food Bank has been a lifeline for our community for over 40 years, providing essential food assistance to those in need. In 2023 alone, the Food Bank distributed over 3.5 million pounds of food to over 50,000 people in Whatcom County.

The Impact of Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a serious problem in our community, with over 15% of Whatcom County households struggling to put food on the table. This means that over 25,000 people in our county are at risk of hunger.

The Work of the Bellingham Food Bank

The Bellingham Food Bank works tirelessly to address food insecurity by:

• Providing emergency food assistance: The Food Bank operates a food pantry where individuals and families can receive up to 100 pounds of food each month.
• Operating a mobile food bank: The Food Bank's mobile food bank brings food to underserved communities throughout Whatcom County.
• Partnering with local organizations: The Food Bank works with over 80 local organizations to provide food assistance to those in need.

How You Can Help

There are many ways you can support the Bellingham Food Bank's mission to fight hunger in our community:

• Donate food: The Food Bank accepts donations of non-perishable food items at its warehouse and at food drives throughout the year.
• Donate money: Monetary donations help the Food Bank purchase food and operate its programs.
• Volunteer your time: The Food Bank relies on volunteers to sort, pack, and distribute food.

Tips for Donating

• Donate nutritious foods: The Food Bank encourages donations of healthy, non-perishable food items, such as canned fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources.
• Check expiration dates: Make sure the food you donate is not expired.
• Avoid donating damaged food: Do not donate food that is damaged or spoiled.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Donating perishable food: The Food Bank cannot accept perishable food items, such as fresh produce and dairy products.
• Donating food in glass containers: Glass containers are not accepted due to safety concerns.
• Donating homemade food: The Food Bank cannot accept homemade food due to liability concerns.

Step-by-Step Guide to Donating

1. Gather your food donations: Collect non-perishable food items from your pantry or participate in a food drive.
2. Check expiration dates: Ensure that all food items are not expired.
3. Avoid glass containers: Do not donate food in glass containers.
4. Drop off your donations: Bring your food donations to the Food Bank's warehouse at 1814 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Pros and Cons of Donating to the Bellingham Food Bank

Pros:

• Helps feed the hungry in our community: Your donation will help provide food to those who need it most.
• Tax-deductible: Donations to the Food Bank are tax-deductible.
• Supports a local organization: The Food Bank is a vital part of our community and your donation will help ensure its continued success.

Cons:

• May require time: Dropping off your food donations may require some time and effort.
• Limited types of food accepted: The Food Bank cannot accept all types of food donations, such as perishable food and homemade food.

Conclusion

The Bellingham Food Bank is a cornerstone of our community, providing essential food assistance to those in need. By donating food, money, or your time, you can help the Food Bank continue its mission to fight hunger and make a positive impact in the lives of our neighbors.

Table 1: Bellingham Food Bank Statistics

Table 2: Most Needed Food Items

Table 3: How You Can Help the Bellingham Food Bank