SNOHOMISH COUNTY — More people are looking to local food banks to get nutritious food.
Volunteers of America’s food banks are seeing 6,600 people a month, which is 40 percent more than the same time in 2022, said Scott Rossiter, director of hunger programs at Volunteers of America of Western Washington.
“Every food bank is struggling for enough food,” Rossiter said. VOA’s food bank in Sultan has seen a 76 percent increase in the number of people seeking help.
In addition to Sultan, Volunteers of America operates a food bank in north Everett as well as two food pantries on Casino Road in Everett.
Other Everett pantries are at the Salvation Army and at Faith Lutheran Church.
Rossiter pointed to the impact of inflation increasing the cost of groceries, housing, and gas contributing to the higher demand. People are buying high-carbohydrate foods and not buying produce and proteins, which food banks are trying to offer.
Other food banks are also seeing more people needing food. The Snohomish food bank is seeing around 225 people, which is similar to pre-pandemic levels, said its director Elizabeth Durand.
Volunteers of America food bank volunteer Lorna Atkins stocks the shelves at the Everett food bank on Broadway. Volunteers of America are seeing more people seeking help as the holidays approach.
The Sky Valley Food Bank in Monroe has seen a 23 percent increase in use from quarter to quarter, said Matthew Campbell the Sky Valley Food Bank’s director. They are expecting to see around 2,200 families a month.
The Maltby Food Bank has 163 families signed up to receive help but sees around 115 families show up.
“It’s getting higher,” said Natalie Oswald, director of the Maltby Food Bank. She said during the pandemic, people benefited from the number of pop-up food banks that appeared during the lockdown.
Sky Valley has another challenge as they are undergoing a construction project on their building. Food bank operations are taking place in the warehouse.
“We haven’t missed a single day of distribution, but it’s been a challenge for sure,” Campbell said.
The increased food bank use comes as the holidays approach.
“It’s one of our biggest distributions,” Campbell said.
The Thanksgiving distribution at Sky Valley includes a chicken, turkey, or Cornish game hen plus items that are expected for the holidays in addition to regular food.
“We focus a lot on produce as well,” Campbell said. The distribution will also include milk, cheese, and eggs.
The Snohomish Food Bank will hold its Thanksgiving distribution this week offering turkeys with all the fixings, Durand said.
Volunteers of America started its Thanksgiving distribution last week and continues again this week, Rossiter said.
“Our donations are low, but we have food drives on the books,” said Natalie Oswald, director at the Maltby Food Bank. “We’ve never had a problem before like that.”
She recently put the word out that the Maltby Food Bank needed turkeys for Thanksgiving, and they had enough in time for the holidays.
“We have a great community. People really respond,” Oswald said.
Volunteers of America are in a different situation concerning donations, which “have been strong. The problem is that demand is strong too,” Rossiter said.
He added that it’s a great time to organize a food drive noting that demand will continue in the months after the holidays.
Volunteers of America is holding a “Stuff the Bus” food drive at the Silver Lake Fred Meyer in partnership with Everett Transit. The food drive takes place Nov. 25 and 26, Dec. 2 and 3, and Dec. 9 and 10.
Campbell encouraged people to donate cash to food banks. In terms of food, hearty food for the cold season, such as soups and stews, are good to donate.
Durand said the Snohomish Food Bank is well stocked and shares extra food with neighboring food banks. She noted the cost for buying food has risen. She’s spending $12,000 a month where is used to be $7,500.
She is also looking at different organizations to pledge items to donate.
People wishing to donate to Volunteers of America food banks can donate online at www.voaww.org/donate. Cash donations help with purchase of proteins, produce and holiday boxes, Rossiter said.
He noted the food bank demand will continue during the months following the holidays.
“If anybody wants to do a food drive, now is the time,” Rossiter said.
Where to get food
Snohomish Community Food Bank (www.snohomishfoodbank.org)
• 1330 Ferguson Park Road, Snohomish. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays. (360) 568-7993. No appointment needed.
Sky Valley Food Bank (www.svfoodbank.org)
• 233 Sky River Parkway, Monroe. Tuesdays 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Must make appointment to receive food. (360) 794-7959.
Maltby Food Bank (www.maltbyfood bank.org)
• Thursdays by appointment only. Call (360) 668-7900 or email info@maltbyfoodbank.org.
Volunteers of America (www.voaww.org):
• 1230 Broadway, Everett – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. second and fourth Tuesday.
• 617 First Street, Sultan – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, 9:30 a.m. to noon Fridays.
• Bible Baptist Church Drive-Thru Pantry – 805 W. Casino Road., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., first and third Tuesdays.
• Village Walk-Up Pantry – 805 W. Casino Rd., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., second, fourth and fifth Tuesdays.
