Submitted by: Bellingham Food Bank
Effective immediately, Bellingham Food Bank has suspended food distribution at all three of its locations.
Food Distribution
Pre-packed food box distribution was an intermediate step taken to attempt social distancing, but that has proven not to work. Volunteers and those who need food are still having to congregate while at the food bank. Several staff and volunteers have wisely chosen to isolate due to their age, health conditions, and the age and compromised health of people they live with.
Staff at Bellingham Food Bank are calling for a coordinated effort between existing hunger relief agencies and trained emergency responders in order to better operate during a pandemic. Staff are recommending the institution of multiple neighborhood pop-up sites rather than having one central distribution location for Bellingham. Operations will remain suspended until such a plan is created and can be safely implemented.
Donations
While operations are suspended, administrative functions will still take place. Monetary donations will continue to be vital to the success of hunger relief efforts going forward. No food donations will be collected at Bellingham Food Bank during the suspension of operations.
Bellingham Food Bank has been feeding our community since 1972. Currently, 1 in 5 Bellingham households uses the food bank on a regular basis, and every month, the food bank responds to more than 18,000 visits. For more information and to donate visit www.bellinghamfoodbank.org.
