Submitted by First Fed
The holiday season has a way of helping us realize and be thankful for our privileges and blessings. It also helps us realize just how many others may struggle with the same things we try not to take for granted.
Food insecurity is among the starkest, continually growing issues in Whatcom County, with more than 28,000 people – including about one in every five children – being unable to consistently get enough food in their households.
At the Bellingham Food Bank (BFB), visits to their Ellis Street food pantry have increased by 200% in the last five years. To help address this surging demand, First Fed is again matching donations to BFB through the close of business on December 31.
“To double your donation to the Bellingham Food Bank, please stop by our Barkley or Fairhaven branches,” says First Fed District Manager Julie Ranson. “We are accepting cash or check donations payable to the Bellingham Food Bank. Whatever is deposited in the food bank’s account, we will match up to a combined total of $5,000. We encourage everyone to give what they can.”
A Personal Matter
Supporting BFB is something that carries personal resonance for many of First Fed’s employees, Ranson says.
“Many of us either have lived experience – from earlier in life – with needing resources like the food bank, or we have close relationships with people who currently need those kinds of resources,” she says.
The support of BFB is in keeping with First Fed’s support of many great community organizations in our region, including Whatcom Hospice, Lydia Place, Blue Skies for Children, Handbags for Housing, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) and the Whatcom Center for Early Learning.
Every Dollar Counts
Stephanie Sisson, communications and outreach coordinator for Bellingham Food Bank, says the organization has doubled their hours of operation in recent years to try to meet demand.
The organization serves around 5,000 households every week, and their weekly home delivery program serves more than 900 people throughout Whatcom County. The food bank also offers drive-through service and helps distribute millions of pounds of food to the Whatcom County Food Bank Network.
BFB’s ability to continue offering healthier, culturally-relevant food while maintaining enough staff to provide a trusted and safe environment, Sisson adds, is dependent on the support of everyone. In 2022, 80% of BFB funding came from community members.
“We couldn’t do what we do without community-based funding,” she says. “The donation match from First Fed is one of the most effective and efficient ways to help our community in need. We really appreciate their support.”
Donations to the Bellingham Food Bank can be made by cash, check, or account transfer at both the Barkley and Fairhaven branches of First Fed. Those with First Fed accounts can also donate by phone by dialing the customer service line at 800.800.1577.
“Access to food is an important hand up for families or individuals struggling to juggle life expenses,” Ranson says. “We recognize the importance of investing in the communities where we reside because we know that service helps all of us grow stronger together.”
First Fed is a member FDIC and equal housing lender.
