Snohomish Community Food Bank volunteer Mike Manley talks helps a client with what's in one of the food bank's freezers during the food bank’s Friday, May 12 service time to shop for supplemental food.
Holidays are quickly approaching. For many, that means large amounts of food scattered across the dinner table for friends and family. It also means that local food banks are all hands on deck to ensure people can get all the supplies they need to have a successful and happy holiday.
The community can donate a variety of goods to a food bank, but cash is always ideal so a food bank can buy in bulk.
The Sky Valley Food Bank in Monroe sees a 20% increase in clients between the beginning of November and January, said its director Matthew Campbell.
“It’s so much fun,” Campbell said. “We have so many volunteers coming in. We get a lot of food donated this time of year, so it is chaotic, but in a good way.”
When the Thanksgiving season approaches, Sky Valley encourages people to provide cash instead of bringing a turkey. This way, the food bank is able to take the money and purchase the turkeys in packs, making it easier to stack in the warehouse.
Volunteers of America Western Washington’s food bank in Everett sees a 15% increase in clients during the holiday season, said John Glennon, who oversees the VOA’s food banks and hunger services.
“Food is great and we always need it, but we are also operating our food banks and paying our staff,” Glennon said. “Folks can always do cash donations and support in terms of money. That really goes a long way.”
During the holidays the Snohomish Community Food Bank sees a large increase in clients, seeing five to 10 new households coming in each week, its director Megan Kemmett said. The Snohomish food bank asks people who want to donate to contact the food bank directly to ask what specific foods are needed.
To make pledges to donate holiday foods, the Snohomish Community Food Bank encourages people to sign up online through this shortlink: www.tinyurl.com/snopledge
“We’re always grateful for the community’s support with food or monetary donations,” Kemmett said. “During the holidays especially, we spend a large portion of money that is donated on purchasing protein items, such as turkeys, hams, chickens and specialty options for folks with specific dietary needs. Monetary donations also help support the day-to-day operation and maintenance of our facility and our delivery vehicles.
From the beginning of November till the first week of January, the county’s food banks will need all the help they can get to accommodate their clients. Whether it is volunteering or donating cash or food, the food banks are grateful for their communities in whatever way they lend a hand.
“The community always steps up and helps us,” Campbell said. “That’s one of the amazing things about this community. Whatever the ask, the community always comes through.
Where to get food
Snohomish
• Snohomish Community Food Bank (www.snohomishfoodbank.org)
1330 Ferguson Park Road, Snohomish. Senior Services: Tuesdays 3 to 4 p.m., Fridays 10 to 11 a.m. General Services: Tuesdays 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. (360) 568-7993. No appointment necessary.
• Seventh Day Adventist Church
505 Ave. D, Snohomish. Tuesdays noon to 4 p.m. Food pantry. More parking at back of church.
Monroe
• Sky Valley Food Bank (www.svfoodbank.org)
233 Sky River Parkway, Monroe. Senior Services: Mondays 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. General Services: Tuesdays 2:45 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Must make appointment to receive food, first-timers can sign up on site. (360) 794-7959.
Maltby
• Maltby Food Bank (www.maltbyfoodbank.org)
21104 86th Ave. SE, Snohomish. Thursdays by appointment only. (360) 668-7900 or email info@maltbyfoodbank.org.
Everett
• Volunteers of America (www.voaww.org):
• 1230 Broadway, Everett – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., second and fourth Tuesdays 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Bible Baptist Church Drive-Thru Pantry – 805 W. Casino Road. First and third Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Village Walk-Up Pantry – 805 W. Casino Road. Second, fourth and fifth Tuesdays 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sultan
• Volunteers of America (www.voaww.org):
• 617 First Street, Sultan – Mondays 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays 9:30 a.m. to noon.
