Every year, the Orcas Island Food Bank encourages businesses to hold food drives or raise money. San Juan Propane has answered that call with a week-long open house event.

“This is a great locally inspired event where helping our neighbors can happen,” said Office Manager Fiona Stone. “We are honored to be able to support the food bank, which persistently aids in giving people something as basic as food.”

From Dec. 9 to 13, there will be an open house at its office at 593 Mt. Baker Road from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone who stops by can enjoy refreshments and cookies and buy a raffle ticket to win a propane-powered generator or give a non-perishable food donation and receive a raffle ticket to win one of three gift certificates for 100 gallons of propane. All proceeds from the event will benefit the food bank.

As of Oct. 1, the food bank has served 377 families and given 80,000 pounds of food. That figure should reach 100,000 by the end of the holiday season.

If a business or organization would like to partner with the food bank to hold a food drive, call 376-4445 for information.

“It’s as simple as local people giving back to local people,” said San Juan Propane Manager Erick Crowe.