This year, the Orcas Island Food Bank has implemented new programs and is expanding its facility to better serve its clients. The board has partnered with Orcas Senior Services to implement a new senior outreach service that delivers groceries every Friday to seniors unable to leave their homes. They are in the process of placing a new 180-square-foot modular building behind the existing food bank building that will eliminate off-premises storage. They will be purchasing a new, large commercial refrigerator which was made possible by donors through the Orcas Island Community Foundation.

The food bank is currently seeing an average of 388 client visits each month, representing  approximately 864 family members, up slightly from 2013. To help the food bank, you can: Mail a check for any amount payable to the Orcas Island Food Bank, PO Box 424, Eastsound; arrange with your bank to make an automatic monthly or quarterly transfer of any given amount to OIFB; designate OIFB as a recipient in your endowment or legacy plan. Bring unused, unopened, non-perishable items to the drop box on the north side of the Food Bank building, located at 116 Madrona Street, or the Senior Center, Key Bank, or the Post Office in Orcas. Hold a food drive or fundraising event to benefit OIFB.