Between generous community members and some suppliers, the Orcas Island Food Bank doesn’t generally run short of side dish items or those things you normally pick up to accompany a main dish. But it is beginning to see a rise in clients visiting the food bank lately and side dish items are popular. It’s asking for your help to alleviate this shortage.

Items currently needed are boxes of biscuit and/or muffin mix, Rice-a-Roni, Hamburger Helper, rice pilaf, Spanish rice, red beans and rice mixes, instant mashed potatoes and potato au gratin. Also, items such as salad dressings, bottled ketchup, mustard, pickles, relish, pasta sauce, olives.

If your pantry is a little heavy on some of these items or you wish to pick up an extra or two at the market next time you visit, you may bring them by the Food Bank on Madrona next to the Community Church and leave the items in the bin outside the left side door of the Food Bank building.