The world looks very different right now. No matter who you are, or what situation you’ve landed in, we can all feel that sentence. While things seem uncertain, there is one thing in our local area that will always be true. No one will go hungry. If you find yourself in need or if you want to lend a helping hand, Whatcom and Skagit counties have food resources that are vibrant and predictable.
So where to start.
Whatcom County
Well, Bellingham Food Bank has done an excellent job in communicating their offerings and needs. Their friendly and easy to use website lists out their COVID Policies to keep you and others safe. They have a contactless and convenient drive up option that is easily accessible by car, bike, or foot traffic.
Dates, Times and Locations:
Tuesdays | 1-4 pm
Shuksan Middle School Parking Lot, 2717 Alderwood Ave
Wednesdays | 3-6 pm
Christ the King Church Parking Lot, 4173 Meridian St
Thursdays | 1-4 pm
Civic Athletic Complex, 1355 Civic Field Way
If you’re looking to help, they are seeking specific items to support this drive-up food distribution effort. The following items will be accepted at the Bellingham Food Bank warehouse location:
- Canned food preferred
- Peanut butter/other nut butters
- Dry beans, rice, and pasta: under 2 lb containers
- Also accepting baby diapers, all sizes appreciated!
Please, no glass containers or oversized containers. No perishables without appointment.
They also provide an easy, informative map of resources within Whatcom County.
More than just canned food, Bellingham Food Bank shows that they are committed to feeding their clients with local, fresh food while also reducing as much waste as possible.
Skagit County
Live in Skagit County? There are a number of food resources in your area as well, including Skagit Valley Neighbors In Need and Helping Hands Food Bank. Paired with the popular and successful Food Lifeline, Helping Hands Food Bank has the means to provide food six days a week and many programs for those in need. These programs include feeding kids, those who are homebound and need delivery, and those in need of work or education opportunities.
Check out Skagit Valley’s food distribution schedule to meet your needs or volunteer to help others meet theirs.
Tuesdays |11:00am to 6:00pm
Skagit Valley Neighbors In Need
1615 S. 2nd St.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
For Kids
Schools may be closed, but Meals for Kids hasn’t skipped a beat. The USDA has provided a map that is incredibly helpful for all pickup locations in the area. With over 15 locations in Whatcom County alone, the school district is doing its part to make sure no child is left without a meal. Blaine, Ferndale, Meridian, and Mount Baker school districts have also provided times and locations for meal picks up and deliveries.
Looking for other ways to help your community?
Downtown Sounds (a local live music event that was created to celebrate live music and community connection in downtown Bellingham) is going virtual to raise funds to help local music venues from closing their doors due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Starting August 12 and continuing every Wednesday in August after that, a different Bellingham venue will host this virtual concert. You can donate directly, tune in, or buy merch to support this cause.
We recommend making a quarantine date night out of it or organizing you and some friends to tune in to your favorite video chat app and enjoy the music together!
Check out more of Bellingham’s modified events at https://www.bellingham.org/event-calendar/.
We know life is crazy, but we also know we’ll get through this together!