by Rick Rhoads
Orcas Island Food Bank
Carolyn Carroll cut the ribbon at the door on April 18 and became the first customer to experience full self-service shopping at the Orcas Island Food Bank.
OIFB has been distributing food free of charge continuously since 1984. Customers got either prepacked bags or went through a line where staff members and volunteers gave them what they selected. In October 2022 OIFB took a step toward its current grocery-store model by placing canned and packaged items on open shelves and providing wire baskets for customers. Potatoes, onions, garlic, and fruit had already been made available for self-selection. Refrigerated and frozen items were still distributed by staff and volunteers.
“We were waiting for the safety measures put in place due to the pandemic to end in 2021 and 2022, said OIFB Executive Director Amanda Sparks. “This year, waiting until spring ensured that if the new model took longer for customers to navigate, folks wouldn’t be standing in winter temperatures outside. Self-service increases customers’ ability to choose and is a more dignified way to shop. I had wanted to make this transition since I started managing the Food Bank in March 2020, but meeting the pandemic-related health concerns and the increase in demand took precedence. It’s wonderful that with tremendous support from the Washington State Department of Agriculture and our community, we were able to meet that challenge. We now have the staff, volunteers, and systems in place to embrace this new challenge of learning how to best function in self-service mode.”
Customers have been delighted by the change to self-service and the associated new layout. Dozens of their comments echoed these:
“It feels so much bigger in here and much freer.”
“It’s so beautiful and such a welcoming experience.”
“It feels better to shop like this because you can make your own decisions quickly.”
“I’m blown away! This has exceeded my expectations.”
Carroll, who cut the ribbon, also reflected on her earlier experiences at the food bank. She recalled the homemade frozen soups: “One of those soups gave me four meals and helped me get through the winter.”
She added, “Coming to the Food Bank enables me to make it through the month on my Social Security. And there’s such a variety here — I’ve eaten foods that I’d never eaten before.”
With the new layout and new shopping model, there are new food distribution hours: Tuesday, noon to 6:30 p.m. and Friday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. plus a “Golden Hour” for seniors, Tuesday, 11 a.m. to noon. and a “Quiet Hour,” Friday 1-2 p.m. The Teen Tent is up Monday-Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Home deliveries take place on Thursdays. Visit www.orcasislandfoodbank.org or call 360-376-4445, 116 Madrona Street (PO Box 424), Eastsound, WA 98245. OIFB is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
